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Resistance

Multiple Levels of Resistance to Tobacco Etch Virus in Pepper. C. W. Kuhn, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602; F. W. Nutter, Jr., and G. B. Padgett. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602. Phytopathology 79:814-818. Accepted for publication 29 March 1989. Copyright 1989 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-79-814.

Resistance to tobacco etch virus (TEV) was identified in pepper genotypes by comparing symptom severity; incubation period; viral antigen concentration, quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and ability to become infected relative to the reaction of the susceptible Yolo Wonder B. Two genotypes, FL-XVR-3-25 and GA-C44-V22, exhibited extreme resistance under greenhouse conditions: no symptoms developed, and the virus could not be detected by ELISA or infectivity tests in either mechanically inoculated or uninoculated leaves. Under field conditions, however, 50–85% of the FL-XVR-3-25 plants developed a mild disease (mild chlorosis and leaf roll symptoms), and the TEV antigen could be detected in less than 15% of the plants with symptoms. A mild mottle developed on 15–25% of the GA-C44-V22 plants, but the viral antigen could not be detected in them. Moderate resistance, as in the genotypes Tambel-2 and Asgrow-XPH-5021, was characterized by mosaic and little or no stunting under both greenhouse and field conditions, a 2- to 3-wk incubation period, and low to medium concentrations of the viral antigen for 2–3 wk after inoculation. These studies demonstrate that there are multiple levels of resistance to TEV in pepper.