Pepper Yellow Mosaic

Pepper yellow mosaic virus (PepYMV)

[synonym: Potyvirus Y – montemor (PVYm)]

Typical symptoms of Pepper yellow mosaic include vein banding, blistering and a bright-yellow mosaic. Leaves also may be distorted and develop epinasty. Generally, plants are stunted. Fruit develop a mosaic and may be distorted.

Aphids transmit this virus in a non-persistent manner. The widespread use of Potyvirus Y resistant cultivars in commercial vegetable production in the 1970s may have contributed to emergence of PepYMV as a serious pepper pathogen in Brazil. Pepper yellow mosaic also affects tomato.

Plant PepYMV-resistant pepper varieties. Use of insecticides to control the disease is generally not efficient due to the short times for acquisition and transmission of this virus by aphids. Cultural practices that may delay infection include use of reflective mulches to deter aphids and weed control to help remove virus and vector reservoirs.