The Role of Non‐Vectored Soil Transmission as a Primary Source of Infection by Pepper Mild Mottle and Cucumber Mosaic Viruses in Glasshouse‐Grown Capsicum in Australia

Abstract

Abstract Virus disease limit glasshouse production of capsicums in the Supraysia District of New South Wales. Symptoms develop on plants about 4 weeks after planting; and up to 83° of plants are infected. The major virus is cucumber mosaic (CMV) with some pepper mild niottle (PMMV) also present. Evidence is presented to show that the primary source of intection of both viruses is most likely to be debris from previous crops remaining in the soil. It demonstrates a previously unconsi‐dered mechanism tor survival and spread of labile viruses such as CMV and the ecological ecological consequence of these results are considerable.