Work

High-Throughput Sequencing Reveals Previously Undetected Viruses and Mixed Infections in Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Hungary

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing global movement of plant material and the complexity of viral communities associated with cultivated crops complicate routine plant virus diagnostics. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has therefore become an important tool for the comprehensive characterization of plant viromes. In this study, symptomatic pepper (Capsicum annuum) samples submitted to our laboratory between 2020 and 2025 were investigated using HTS following unsuccessful routine diagnostic assays, despite the presence of virus-like symptoms. Virome analysis revealed the presence of multiple viruses with distinct biological characteristics. Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) sequences were identified, representing, to our knowledge, the first sequence data from Hungary. In addition, sequences related to tobacco vein clearing virus (TVCV) showed highest similarity to endogenous viral element present in Capsicum annuum genome assemblies. Persistent viruses, including bell pepper alphaendornavirus (BPEV) and pepper cryptic virus 2 (PCV2), were also detected. These findings demonstrate the complex viral communities associated with cultivated pepper and highlight the limitations of strictly targeted diagnostic approaches. The results emphasize the value of HTS for comprehensive virome characterization in horticultural crops.

Source: Viruses

DOI: 10.3390/v18040481

Authors: Emese Demián, Réka Sáray, Asztéria Almási, Kata Pogácsás, Katalin Salánki

Institutions: HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research, Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian Research Network, Magyar Agrár- és Élettudományi Egyetem

Language: English

Topic: Plant Virus Research Studies

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137