New reports of viruses infecting Capsicum crops in Saudi Arabia
During the growing seasons 2021-2022, a survey was conducted in Capsicum crops in different regions of Saudi Arabia. A total of 319 plant samples were collected showing virus-like symptoms (mottling, mosaic, chlorosis, leaf distortion, dwarfing, stunted growth, and necrotic lesions of leaves and fruits). These samples were tested using DAS-ELISA using specific antibodies against a selection of viruses.
The authors report the following viruses for the first time in pepper crop in the world:
- Andean potato latent virus (Tymovirus latandigenum, APLV, EPPO A1 List). This is also the first record outside of South America.
- Potato leafroll virus (Polerovirus PLRV, EU Quarantine Pest)
- Potato virus V (Potyvirus vetuberosi)
This resulted in the first detection of seventeen viruses on Capsicum in Saudi Arabia. The EPPO Secretariat had no previous record of the following viruses for the country: pepino mosaic virus (Potexvirus pepini, PepMV – EPPO A2 List), potato yellow mosaic virus (Begomovirus tuberosi – PYMV- EU Quarantine Pest), tomato chlorotic spot virus (Orthotospovirus tomatoflavi, TCSV). This is the first report of PYMV in Asia.
Sources
Khalid Z, Amer MA, Amir M, Zaman M, Hussain K, Al-Shahwan IM, Al-Saleh MA (2025) Serological detection of important new viruses infecting pepper crop in Saudi Arabia. Advancements in Life Sciences 12(2), 378-383.