Molecular identification of chilli leaf curl disease in Sikkim

Abstract

Cherry Pepper (Capsicum annum var. cerasiforme) is a valuable cash crop of Sikkim and can be found in almost all parts of the state. The fruits are small in size but have high pungency, because of this it have a good demand in national and international market. No doubt that a healthy crop of cherry pepper can give a handsome amount of return to the grower, but the crop is susceptible to various disease infestation. Chilli Leaf Curl Virus and Chilli vein mottle virus are the most devastating one and causes an un-repairable loss to the farmer. Considering the facts a two year extensive experiment was conducted during 2013- 14 and 2014-15 to study and identify the chilli leaf curl virus in Sikkim. The results revealed that begomovirus is the main pathogen associated with chilli leaf curl in Sikkim as, the virus isolate under study showed maximum 99% similarity with Chilli leaf curl virus which was found in Palampur isolate. The sequence data obtained in this experiment can be utilized in future to develop sensitive diagnostic kits for the early detection and control of this viral disease.