Guntur district, popularly known as the “Land of Chillies” in Andhra Pradesh, represents the core of India’s chilli economy, producing export-oriented. In recent years, chilli production in this region has been increasingly threatened by Chilli Leaf Curl Virus (ChiLCV), a begomovirus transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The disease induces severe leaf curling, stunting, reduced flowering and drastic yield losses, particularly when infection occurs during early vegetative stages. Favouring the high cost of chilli cultivation, frequent disease outbreaks result in substantial economic losses (60-98%) for farmers and prompting shifts to other crops. Strengthening integrated disease management, vector surveillance, extension support and development of virus-tolerant cultivars is crucial for increasing productivity and ensuring long-term resilience of the Guntur chilli production system.
Whitefly, begomovirus, chilli production, yield loss, Integrated control
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