AMSEED American Seed Intelligence Platform

Pepper Mild Mottle Virus

Tobamovirus capsici · virus · also: PMMoV

Issue type
disease
Seedborne
Yes, travels on seed
Resistance code
PMMoV, L1, L2, L3, L4
Affects
Pepper

Symptoms

Mild leaf mottling that is easy to miss, followed by the damage that matters: small, distorted, lumpy fruit with brown necrotic streaking. Extremely stable, surviving on tools, hands, and plant debris for years.

Management

The L-gene series is the textbook case of resistance genes versus pathogen races: L1 through L4 each defeat successive PMMoV pathotypes, and the pathogen has repeatedly evolved past them. Commercial seed is treated and indexed; sanitation between plantings is not optional.

Varieties with documented resistance

VarietyLevelCodeDaysBreeding
Aristotle resistant L3 70-75 F1 hybrid

Sources & References

Evidence: 2 sources, all independent references.

  1. Pepper Production Guides · University of Florida IFAS Extension, University or Government
  2. Chile Pepper Institute research and variety releases · New Mexico State University, University or Government