Prevalence and incidence of viruses and root knot nematode infecting pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Punjab

Survey of major pepper growing areas of districts Sangrur, Patiala, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Ludhiana was conducted in 2013–14 for prevalence of viruses and root knot nematodes. Pepper crop at farmer's field showed varying viral symptoms including; vein-banding, mosaic, puckering, mottling of leaves; chlorotic/necrotic patterns or ring-spots on leaves; and curling of leaves with reduced leaf size. Maximum incidence of viruses was recorded at Ludhiana district and minimum at Ferozepur. The incidence of vein-banding and mosaic type symptoms was maximum from March to June whereas July onwards leaf curl type symptoms were predominate at all the locations. Root knot nematode was found to be associated with pepper crop all the districts surveyed. However, severity of disease varied over the different locations. Maximum frequency of occurrence of root knot nematode (80%) was recorded in samples collected from Sangrur district and minimum in samples from Ferozepur district (40%)