The Incidence, Severity and Occurrence of Four Viruses Infecting Pepper (Capsicum spp.) in the Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria
Summary
The incidence, severity and occurrence of four viruses infecting pepper were determined in Kwara State, Nigeria. A disease survey and antigen-coated plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ACP-ELISA) were the tools deployed to achieve these objectives. The survey indicated the highest virus incidence (97%) in four locations, and the lowest incidence (16%) in three locations, with variations in severity scores. Th e ELISA result indicated the occurrence of all four viruses with the highest percentage occurrence of virus in the samples as follows: Pepper veinal mottle virus (36.3%), Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (16.2%), Cowpea aphid borne mosaic virus (7.4%), and Cucumber mosaic virus in the locations (4.8%). The results indicate the prevalence of these viruses on pepper in the Southern Guinea savannah agroecological zone and therefore the need for constant studies to detect other viruses that limit pepper production.
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