Chilli Leaf Curl Virus Disease:Cause and Control

Chilli pepper or hot pepper is an important spice and vegetable crop of family Solanaceae. Chilli is susceptible to various pathogens involving viruses, which cause heavy production losses. So far 65 viruses have been reported, including chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV) infecting chilli throughout the world. The viruses belonging to the family Geminiviridae are among the major limitations that causes huge losses to chilli production. ChiLCV is the most destructive virus in terms of incidence and yield loss. The disease can be identified by typical upward leaf curling, crinkling, puckering and reduction of leaf area along with stunting of whole plants. It is transmitted by whitefly. Although a number of insecticides had been effectively used to manage this pest in the past but it is able to develop resistance very rapidly. Conventional plant breeding techniques remains the major antiviral strategy so far for the development of resistant chilli varieties.