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Powdery Mildew Caused by Leveillula taurica (Synonym: Phyllactinia taurica): A Global Challenge for Pepper Production

Summary

Powdery mildew caused by the fungus Leveillula taurica is a major disease affecting pepper crops worldwide, potentially reducing yields by up to 50%. The disease appears as white powder on pepper leaves and can be managed through resistant pepper varieties, proper farming practices, beneficial microbes, and fungicide treatments. Scientists have identified genetic sources of resistance in pepper that could help breeders develop more resistant varieties for sustainable agriculture.

Background

Pepper powdery mildew, caused by the obligate fungal pathogen Leveillula taurica, poses a significant threat to pepper cultivation worldwide. The pathogen exhibits a broad host range infecting around 200 plant genera across 60 families and is distributed globally on all continents except Antarctica.

Objective

This review synthesizes current knowledge on L. taurica (synonym: Phyllactinia taurica) and genetic resistance in Capsicum species, covering taxonomy, life cycle, distribution, control strategies and future research directions.

Results

L. taurica is a species complex distributed across six paraphyletic clades with highest prevalence in Central Asia. Around 150 resistant Capsicum accessions have been identified with resistance ranging from monogenic to polygenic control. Multiple resistance loci including PMR1 on chromosome P4, QTLs on chromosomes P5-P6, and CaMlo2-based loss-of-susceptibility mechanisms have been characterized.

Conclusion

Sustainable management of L. taurica requires integrated strategies combining resistant plant varieties, cultural practices, biocontrol agents, and judicious use of chemical fungicides. Further research on causal genes, broader isolate sampling, and validation of resistance across diverse environments is necessary for effective disease control.
  • Published in:Molecular Plant Pathology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40709757, DOI: 10.1111/mpp.70128
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