Reducing the spread of aphid-transmitted viruses in peppers by coarse-net cover

Spread of the aphid-transmitted cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and potato virus Y (PVY) in pepper plots was markedly reduced by growing the plants under a white coarse-net cover permitting normal development of the plants. This net also reduced the winged aphid population on the plants by more than 40 times. Light grey and yellow nets also reduced virus spread and aphid populations, but were much less effective than white ones. The nets do not act as a mechanical barrier to aphids. It is suggested that under white and grey netting, aphid repellency and microclimatic conditions are the primary causes of virus check, while the controlling effect of the yellow nets may be explained by their being more attractive to aphids than the plants. A reduction of “background effect” and a limiting of the aphids’ vision range by nets are probably other factors involved in the protective mechanism.