Mosaic Complex Management in Chilli: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control

The mosaic complex is a viral disease that impacts many plants, including Chilli peppers. Different strains of plant viruses cause these diseases, which can cause big losses in crop yield and quality if they aren’t taken care of properly. Mosaic complex is usually seen in Chilli peppers as mottled, yellowish-green leaves with irregular patterns of dark green or brown spots. Infected plants may also have stunted development, distorted fruit, and lower yields.

Mosaic Complex Management in Chilli

Causes/Pathogen of Mosaic Complex in Chilli

The mosaic of Chilli is caused by the Tobacco mosaic virus, transmitted by aphids. The disease is characterized by the appearance of dark green and light green areas on the leaf surface, filamentous-like leaves, and reduced flower and fruit production. The virus is sap-transmissible, and aphids can also transmit it.

Field sanitation, roughing, and cultural practices are recommended to manage and control the mosaic of Chilli. This involves removing and destroying infected plants and weeds and implementing good crop rotation practices. Using optimum doses of nitrogenous fertilizer in the field can also help prevent the disease.

The Disease Cycle of Mosaic Complex in Chilli

The disease cycle of the mosaic complex in Chilli peppers begins with the virus in the field, which can persist in plant or root debris in dry soil for over two years, and one month in most soils.
Plants can become contaminated through minor wounds in the roots. The virus can also spread via infested seeds, seedlings, weeds, and contaminated plant parts.
Once the virus is present in the plant, it can multiply and spread rapidly, causing symptoms such as raised blisters, mottled areas of light and dark green on the foliage, leaves pointing toward the ground, necrotic spots on the stem, and small and distorted fruit.

Conditions Favorable for Mosaic Complex Spread in the Field

Splattering rains and moist weather help mosaic complex viruses grow. First, rainfall can spread virus-infected plant sap to nearby plants.
Second, moisture helps mosaic complex virus-carrying insects like aphids and thrips move between plants. Wet weather affects plants, making them more vulnerable to viruses.
High humidity or prolonged dew can also spread complex mosaic viruses. Humidity and dew promote virus spread and insect movement between plants.

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Damage Symptoms of Mosaic Complex

Raised blisters and mottled areas of light and dark green on the foliage.
Leaves pointing toward the ground.
Necrotic spots on the stem.
Fruit ripening unevenly and being reduced in size (TMV)
Reduction in leaf size and narrowing of the lamina.
Chlorosis leading to mosaic symptoms.
Downward curling of leaves along with the midrib.
Small and distorted fruit (CMV).

Yield Loss due to Mosaic Complex on Chilli

Chilli plants can lose yield to mosaic complex, a disease caused by viruses. In South Sumatra, Indonesia, Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) attacked Chilli plants in all agriculture, with lower altitudes most affected. The disease severely reduced Chilli plant yield. Another study found that complex viral diseases like mosaic and curly top viruses caused 30% crop loss. Farmers must adopt good crop management and sanitation to avoid yield losses from these viruses.

Mosaic Complex Management in Chilli by Cultural Method

Cultural methods can be used to manage the mosaic complex in Chilli. This involves crop rotation, using disease-resistant varieties, maintaining plant hygiene, and controlling the insect vectors that transmit the virus. These methods can help reduce the spread and severity of the disease, ultimately leading to better yields and quality produce.

Mosaic Complex Management in Chilli by Biological Method

Neem oil, a bio-insecticide, was also evaluated in the study. Although it effectively reduced the disease intensity, its efficacy was lower than imidacloprid. Neem oil is a natural product extracted from the neem tree, and its active ingredient, azadirachtin, acts as an antifeedant and growth regulator, leading to insect death.

Mosaic Complex Management in Chilli by Chemical Method

Chemical management is a widely used method to control the spread of mosaic disease. In this regard, various insecticides and bio-insecticides have been evaluated. Six chemicals are imidacloprid, malathion, demeton- o-methyl, dimethoate, acetamiprid, and neem oil. These were applied as foliar sprays in Chilli fields to test their efficacy in controlling the mosaic disease. The field trial was conducted under natural conditions, and the disease intensity was monitored regularly.

Mosaic Complex Management in Chilli by Organic/Natural Method

Dry heating seeds at 70°C for four days or at 82-85°C for 24 hours can help to rid them of the virus. This method is effective in reducing virus transmission, and it is a simple and low-cost technique. Another method to control the mosaic complex in Chilli is to soak the seeds in a solution of 100 g/l of trisodium phosphate for 15 minutes. Trisodium phosphate is an organic compound that kills viruses, bacteria, and fungi. After soaking, the seeds should be rinsed thoroughly with water and dried.

Preventive Measures for Control of Mosaic Complex

Using healthy seeds from certified sources or plants, using resistant or tolerant varieties, steam-pasteurizing the seedbed soils, and avoiding planting in previously infected fields. Optimizing plant handling practices, monitoring fields and seedbeds, removing and burning diseased plants and weeds, plowing and burning plant debris after harvest, Avoiding planting alternative host plants near tomatoes and implementing crop rotation with non-host crops for at least two years.

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Conclusion

Field sanitation, cultural practices, and disease-resistant varieties are just some methods used to manage the mosaic complex in Chilli. Natural and organic options, such as neem oil and garlic extract, can be used alongside chemical and biological pest control methods. Early detection and consistent management practices are the keys to preventing the spread of the disease and minimizing yield losses.

Mosaic Complex Management in Chilli: Symptoms, Treatment, Chemical, Biological, Natural, and Organic Control

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