• Vol. 2026, 44(1)
• Phytopathological Note

Detection of Begomovirus capsicummusive (PepGMV) and associated damage in habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) in Tabasco

By Miguel Arturo Buitron Broca, Carlos Fredy Ortíz García*, Pedro Antonio Moscoso Ramírez, Eder Ramos Hernández, José Hipólito Rodolfo Mendoza Hernández

*Corresponding Author.

Received: 18/June/2025 – Published: 01/December/2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18781/R.MEX.FIT.2506-1

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  • Buitron-Broca MA, Ortíz-García CF, Moscoso-Ramírez PA, Ramos-Hernández E, Mendoza-Hernández JH. 2026. Detection of Begomovirus capsicummusive (PepGMV) and associated damage in habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) in Tabasco. Mexican Journal of Phytopathology 44(1):102. https://doi.org/10.18781/R.MEX.FIT.2506-1
  • Buitron-Broca, MA, Ortíz-García, CF, Moscoso-Ramírez, PA, Ramos-Hernández, E y Mendoza-Hernández, JH (2026). Detection of Begomovirus capsicummusive (PepGMV) and associated damage in habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) in Tabasco. Mexican Journal of Phytopathology 44(1):102. https://doi.org/10.18781/R.MEX.FIT.2506-1
  • Miguel Buitron-BrocaA, Carlos Ortíz-GarcíaF, Pedro Moscoso-RamírezA, Eder Ramos-Hernández y José Mendoza-HernándezH. 2026. Detection of Begomovirus capsicummusive (PepGMV) and associated damage in habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) in Tabasco. Mexican Journal of Phytopathology 44(1):102. https://doi.org/10.18781/R.MEX.FIT.2506-1

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Abstract Background/Objective. This study aimed to detect viral agents in four Capsicum chinense cultivars in Tabasco, Mexico; determine disease incidence across five developmental stages; and quantify habanero pepper yield.

Experimental development. A field bioassay was established using the cultivars Palenque F1, Jaguar, Orange, and PX-11459057 in a completely randomized design. ImmunoStrips® (Agdia Inc.) were used to detect Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae (tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), and Orthotospovirus iridimaculaflavi (iris yellow spot virus, IYSV). PCR was employed for Begomovirus detection. Viral incidence was evaluated at five time points during the crop cycle, and fruit yield (kg plant^-1 y t ha^-1) and quality were assessed. ANOVA with Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05) was applied.

Results. ImmunoStrips® tests were negative for all four analyzed viruses. Begomovirus capsicummusive (pepper golden mosaic virus, PepGMV) tested positive by PCR in cultivars Palenque F1, Jaguar, and PX-11459057, with genetic similarity exceeding 98%. Viral symptoms included interveinal chlorosis, mosaic, leaf deformation, and dwarfing. Incidence surpassed 95% at 113 days after transplanting (dat). Fruit production was negatively affected in both quantity and quality.

Conclusion. The presence of Begomovirus capsicummusive (PepGMV) was confirmed in habanero pepper in Tabasco, associated with interveinal chlorosis, leaf deformation, and dwarfing, with incidence exceeding 95 % at 113 ddt. Fruit production ranged from 0.1 to 1.41kg ha^-1.

Keywords: PepGMV, Begomovirus capsicummusive, Habanero pepper, Yield

Table 1. Percentage similarity of PCR-obtained sequences of viruses associated with habanero pepper plants.

Table 2. Average habanero pepper fruit production per plant and potential yield per hectare.

Table 3. Average diameter and length of habanero pepper fruits harvested from plants associated with Begomovirus capsicummusive.

Figure 1. Habanero pepper plants showing different viral symptoms. A) Interveinal chlorosis; B) mosaic; C) leaf rolling; D) curling of apical leaves; E) reduced size of new leaves; F) flower abortion; G) fruit deformation and discoloration; H) reduced fruit size; I) viral symptoms expressed at different plant ages.

Figure 2. Incidence of viral symptoms in habanero pepper plants at different crop development stages. Note. ET = standard error, d = days.