Findings of tomato brown rugose fruit virus on Capsicum in the EPPO region
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO Alert List) has caused outbreaks in tomato production in several EPPO countries since 2019. Until recently, there were no reports of damage on Capsicum in the EPPO region whereas this virus is damaging Capsicum crops in Mexico. However, two articles have now been published, mentioning the finding of ToBRFV in Capsicum annuum crops in the EPPO region.
In Jordan in 2016, a mixed infection of C. annuum by tobacco mild green mosaic virus and tomato brown rugose fruit virus resulted in stunting of young plants, puckering, and yellow mottling of leaves.
In Sicily (Italy), in January 2020, about 85% of a crop of C. annuum showed symptoms including slight mosaic and discoloration of young leaves, mosaic and distortion of the fruits. The year before, the same greenhouse was cultivated with tomato, which had been removed due to extensive infection caused by ToBRFV. The presence of ToBRFV in C. annuum was confirmed by RT-PCR.
In both cases, it is important to note that the Capsicum variety grown did not harbour a L resistant gene (which provides resistance to tobamoviruses).
Sources
Panno S, Caruso AG, Blanco G, Davino S (2020) First report of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus infecting sweet pepper in Italy. New Disease Reports 41, 20. http://dx.doi.org/10.5197/j.2044-0588.2020.041.020
Salem NM, Cao MJ, Odeh S, Turina M & Tahzima R (2020) First report of tobacco mild green mosaic virus and tomato brown rugose fruit virus infecting Capsicum annuum in Jordan. Plant Disease 104(2), 601. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-19-1189-PDN
Personal communication with Dr Davino (2020-04) and Dr Salem (2019-11).