Peppers (mainly chili)
Chilli leaf curl virus is transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and is a serious threat to chili fields. Symptoms include the upward curling of leaves, plant stunting, and yield reductions.
There are no treatments for viruses. Infected pepper plants cannot be cured; therefore, the focus should be on prevention. If just a few plants show symptoms remove them from the field.
Try to avoid frequent use of organophosphate, carbamates, or pyrethroids insecticides; they will eliminate natural whitefly enemies and pollinators.
*Use plant varieties and seeds that are resistant to the virus.
*Grow Inside Structures: Keep the structure closed and the nets free of holes.
*Use pests monitoring techniques such as yellow sticky traps to keep track of the whitefly population.
Eliminating whitefly infestations prevents and stops chili leaf curl virus from spreading. This can be difficult because whitefly populations quickly develop a resistance to conventional chemical treatments.
The following insecticides are used in one or more parts of the world: cypermethrin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, diafenthiuron, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, spiromesifen, buprofezin, cyantraniliprole, spirotetramat, and synthetic terpenes extract of chenopodium.
Control whitefly population with Azadirachtin, Fatty acid potassium SAL, Beauveria bassiana strain GHA, neem oil, and other plant oils
Amblyseius swirskii is a commercially available predatory mite that is capable of significantly controlling a whitefly population.
*Names marked in red are considered to be highly poisonous to beneficial insects.
*Names marked in green are considered to be organic and IPM (integrated pest management) compatible.