The Influence of Crop Habitat and Control Strategies on Pepper Viruses in Andalusia (Spain)

Andalusia, southern Spain, is a major horticultural production region within the Mediterranean, where over 10,000 ha are dedicated to the production of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Approximately two-thirds of the area dedicated to this crop is in a greenhouse and the remaining one-third is comprised of open field crops. Using pepper as a model, we identified and compared the major diseases caused by viruses in the different geographic regions and agronomic systems within the region. Symptomatic samples were collected during 2009 and analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR for the presence of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Tobacco mild green mosaic virus (TMGMV), Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) and Parietaria mottle virus (PMoV). Contingency table analysis showed a significant relationship between the presence of major diseases caused by viruses in pepper crops and the different agrosystems in terms of location (inland versus coastal), disease control management (chemical versus integrated), cropping system (open field versus greenhouse), and virus-resistant versus susceptible cultivars. Pepper crops in plastic-covered greenhouses were predominantly associated with arthropod-transmitted virus diseases, such as TSWV. CMV was predominant in provinces located inland, and PMoV was found independent of the agrosystem, disease control methods, or geographic location.