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Symptoms on pepper produced by Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus. Initial symptoms on leaves are small necrotic lesions that coalesce with time, often accompanies by ringspots. Early infection may lead to severe stunting of the plant. Symptoms on the fruit are characterized by necrotic lesions.

Photographs courtesy H.R. Pappu
Department of Plant Pathology, The University of Georgia
Coastal Plain Experiment Station, P.O. Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793-0748

Host: Capsicum annuum, pepper
Disease name: tomato spotted wilt
Pathogen name: Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus

Background: Spotted wilt disease, caused by Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), is a major yield-limiting factor to pepper production in Georgia. In Spring 1999, individual fields in certain counties had more than 80% diseased plants resulting in severe crop loss. TSWV has a wide host range (about 800 plant species) and is transmitted by at least seven thrips species. The overlapping host range of the virus and vector makes managing the disease very difficult. Certain cultural practices such as growing pepper on black plastic during Spring and on white plastic during Fall reduces the disease incidence. The beneficiary effect of using plastic appears to be due to altered behavior of thrips vectors. Advanced breeding lines with considerable field resistance to TSWV are being considered for commercial release.

APS publication number:  IW00016

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