Occurrence and distribution of pepper (Capsicum spp.) viruses in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pepper is an important global food crop for the supply of vitamins and minerals for proper human growth. Virus diseases are responsible for huge losses in crop production and quality all over the world. Therefore, there is need for continuous survey in order to identify the virus types within a particular area which can be used by plant breeders to develop resistant cultivars. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence and distribution of pepper viruses in some Local Government Areas of Niger State. Surveys were carried out during the 2018 dry and wet seasons in selected Local Government Areas (Bida, Bosso, Mashegu, Mokwa and Wushishi) of Niger State, Nigeria. One hundred symptomatic leaf samples of pepper plants were collected randomly from 20 fields and were analyzed for viruses using Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) with three polyclonial antibodies (PAbs) for Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Pepper venial mottle virus (PVMV) and Potato virus Y (PVY). Symptoms observed on fields included leaf chlorosis, mosaic, mottling, leaf and fruit deformation and stunting. All the tested samples reacted negatively to Potato virus Y (PVY) PAb. In all, 5 % of the samples collected from Bosso Local Government Area (LGA) reacted positively to CMV PAb. However, 65 % of the samples collected from Bida LGA tested positive for PVMV. This was closely followed by 25 % positive reaction to PVMV in Mashegu LGA. Moreover, 10 % positive reaction to PVMV was found in the samples collected at Bosso LGA. The study revealed the prevalence of PVMV and the presence of CMV in the study area. In order to prevent severe yield losses, pepper farmers should adhere to proper sanitation, use of clean seeds and rouging of infected plant stands. The inocula of these viruses can be used for breeding available CMV and PVMV resistant pepper cultivars.