Title : Incidence and geographical range of viruses inducing stunt disease in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) vines across Malaysian farms
Abstract:
Black pepper (Piper nigrum), known as "the king of spice," is a significant agricultural commodity in Malaysia, with substantial export earnings and increasing production rates. Despite its importance, black pepper vines face challenges from various diseases, particularly the emerging 'stunt disease,' which has been inadequately documented in the region since its initial report over 25 years ago. This disease is linked to viruses, which can severely affect plant health and yield. High-throughput RNA sequencing was used to identify and characterize the viruses present in black pepper samples. The major local viruses identified through sequencing were screened with specific markers to determine the prevalence of each virus and the infection rate. In a survey of 197 samples from Malaysia, PYMoV was found in 82.74%, and BPBVF in 58.38%. DNA viruses PDV1 and PDV2 were also detected at 47.72% and 43.65%, respectively. Previously reported common virus, CMV, demonstrated the lowest incidence at 19.80%. The combination of PYMoV and BPBVF had the highest infection rate, suggesting simpler virus combinations are more impactful in infections. This study provides valuable information for diagnosing viruses in Malaysian pepper farms. To promote healthy black pepper cultivation, it is essential to remove infected plants and produce certified virus-free materials. The reported viruses and their prevalence serve as a guide for effective diagnosis in Malaysia.
