Capsicum virus diseases
Diseases caused by viruses are among the most common cause of loss to capsicum growers across Australia. Symptoms of several virus diseases often appear to be very similar in the field and more than one virus disease may be present in a crop at one time. The species that transmit tomato spotted wilt virus in Australia are western flower thrips, tomato thrips, melon thrips, and onion thrips. Capsicum chlorosis virus is transmitted by tomato thrips and melon thrips. Key control methods considerations for virus diseases are: use healthy transplants, destroy harvested capsicum and tomato crops before planting new blocks, maintain high crop and farm hygiene standards, do not over use insecticides, and use virus resistant varieties. Information relevant to the management of Western flower thrips (WFT), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and other Thrips and Tospoviruses is included in this item.