Evaluation of the status of capsicum viruses in the main growing regions of Turkey

The incidence, severity and distribution of six viruses infecting capsicum were determined in the main growing areas of Turkey during the 2004 growing season. The surveys covered 50 randomly selected capsicum fields from four different areas in south-east Anatolia and the eastern Mediterranean region. 515 samples were individually collected and tested by DAS-ELISA for Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), Alfalfa mosaic alfamovirus (AMV), Potato X potexvirus (PVX), Potato Y potyvirus (PVY), Pepper mild mottle tobamovirus (PMMoV) and Tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV). 64.8% of ELISA-tested capsicum samples (334 out of 515) were infected by one (41.7%) or more (23.1%) viruses. PVY was the most widespread (26.4%), followed by PVX (25.8%), AMV (25.2%), TEV (23%), PMMoV (9.1%) and CMV (8.3%). Surprisingly high AMV infection was found in three areas (Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep) where AMV is reported for the first time in this study. However, AMV was not detected in Hatay. PMMoV is another new virus, in all the tested areas.