Assessment of Pepper Leaf Curl Virus Disease Incidence, Severity (PepYLCV) and Vector (Bemisia Tabaci) Population Dynamics in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is widely produced and consumed in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Nigeria is the largest producer of pepper in Africa. A field study was conducted in two Local Government Areas of Kebbi State, Nigeria. A field assessment was carried out in Jega (Birnin Malan and Gindi) and Aliero (Kashin Zama and Marmaro) to assess the incidence and symptom severity of Pepper Leaf Curl Virus (PLCV) and the population density of its whitefly vector on pepper plants. Thirty symptomatic and asymptomatic pepper plants were randomly selected per location and evaluated for visual disease symptoms and severity. Whiteflies were counted on the terminal leaflets of each assessed plant. Results revealed notable PLCV incidence, symptom severity, and high whitefly populations across both locations. Among the surveyed areas, Kashin Zama recorded the highest disease incidence (60.0%), followed by Aliero and Birnin Malan (53.33%), Marmaro and Gindi (50.0%), and Jega (40.0%). The highest symptom severity was observed in Aliero (2.2%), followed by Kashin Zama (2.0%), Marmaro (1.9%), Birnin Malan and Gindi (1.8%), with Jega recording the lowest severity (1.5%). Whitefly populations were highest in Kashin Zama (23.0 per plant), followed by Aliero (21.0), Birnin Malan (20.0), Marmaro (19.0), Jega (18.0), and Gindi (17.0). These findings confirm the presence and variability of PLCV and its vector in Kebbi State, highlighting the need for region-specific management strategies as this will mitigate vector population and disease pressure in the study area