In tropical countries, combating leaf curl disease in hot peppers has become important in improvement programs. Leaf curl disease is caused by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) transmitted begomoviruses, which mainly include chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV). However, multiple begomoviruses have also been found to be associated with this disease. The Capsicum annuum line, DLS-Sel-10, was found to be a tolerant source against this disease during field screening. In this study, we characterized the resistance of DLS-sel-10 against chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV) in comparison to the susceptible cultivar Phule Mukta (PM), focusing on the level, stage, and nature of resistance. Comprehensive investigations involved screening of DLS-Sel-10 against the whitefly vector ChiLCV. The putative tolerant line displayed reduced virus infection at the seedling stage, with increasing resistance during vegetative, flowering, and fruiting stages. Both DLS-Sel-10 and PM could be infected with ChiLCV, although DLS-Sel-10 remained symptomless. Insect feeding assays revealed DLS-Sel-10 as a less preferred host for whiteflies compared to PM. In conclusion, DLS-Sel-10 demonstrated tolerance not only to ChiLCV but also served as an unfavorable host for the whitefly vector. The study highlighted an age-dependent increase in tolerance within DLS-Sel-10, showcasing its potential for effective leaf curl disease management in chilli.

Hot pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) is a globally important vegetable crop valued for its nutritional, economic, and culinary significance, yet its productivity is severely threatened by the fruit-rot/anthracnose disease complex caused by Colletotrichum spp. ( C. capsici, C. gloeosporioides, and C. acutatum ). This study investigated the biochemical and molecular defense responses of two resistant genotypes, CH-281 (EC777200), resistant to C. capsici , and CH-319 (IC119695), resistant to C. gloeosporioides , in comparison with Kashi Anmol, which is susceptible to both pathogens. Resistant genotypes showed smaller lesion diameters, higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPX, POX), and increased phenolic accumulation, indicating effective oxidative stress management and sustained defense. Gene expression analyses revealed early and strong induction of defense-related genes in resistant lines. CH-281 challenged with C. capsici exhibited rapid upregulation of PR1 (996-fold), WRKY33, WRKY40, CaMYB, ACS, AOS, and Defensin-like proteins, whereas Kashi Anmol displayed delayed and weaker responses with late surges in ACS and AOS. Similarly, against C. gloeosporioides , CH-319 showed early activation of PR1, WRKY33, CaMYB, and Defensin-like proteins, while the susceptible genotype again demonstrated delayed induction with stronger late peaks. Overall, resistant genotypes mounted timely and robust biochemical and transcriptional defenses, in contrast to the susceptible genotype’s delayed responses. These findings highlight the molecular basis of anthracnose resistance and identify key defense genes and pathways that can be harnessed for breeding durable resistance in chilli.

The inability to develop functional pollen is caused by cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), a maternally inherited trait. Restorer-of-fertility (Rf), a nuclear gene, could cause normal pollen production in CMS plants, resulting in fertility in the plant. This paper aimed to study the inheritance of restoration of fertility traits in both Sweet pepper and Hot pepper. The study was conducted in the Indian agricultural research institute, Katrain regional station, India. Genetic analysis of fertility restoration was performed on the progeny of chilli and sweet pepper. KTCA 5 (cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile line-Sweet pepper), KTCA 10 (cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile line-Sweet pepper. F2 segregation population and back cross BC1 population obtained from an F1 hybrid between KTCR 15 (a fertility restorer line). The fertility of the test-crossed lines was assessed under open field conditions using pollen related criteria. The fertility restoration trait segregated in 3:1 and 1:1 F2 segregation populations and backcrossed BC1 populations respectively in both Sweet Pepper and Hot pepper backgrounds. This indicates single dominant gene inheritance of the Rfgene. There is no effect of CMS background on the restoration trait inheritance.