The place of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Africa was considered insignificant for years due to its previously assumed limited uses. However, it has now gained recognition as one of the important market vegetables in the tropics because of the continued awareness of the numerous health benefits attached to its consumption. This has progressively affected its cultivation and thereby, increased outbreak of diseases and insect pests of the crop. High incidence of insect and disease infestations occur in Cucumis sativus L. due to extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall and high humid condition resulting there from, causing huge losses through reduction in yield, lowered quality of harvested produce and increased cost of production. More than 30 pests and diseases are known to contribute to the losses recorded on the crop in Africa, some of which will be discussed in this chapter.

Increasing outbreaks of virus species infecting pepper (Capsicum spp.) is a major problem for growers in Africa due to a combination of factors, including expansion of pepper cultivation, abundance of insect vectors and climate change. More than 45 viruses have been identified to infect pepper crops causing economic loss in terms of reduced quality and marketable yield, sometimes up to 100%. The Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV), Potato virus Y (PVY) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) are endemic in many countries including Uganda, Mali, Cameroon, Morocco and Nigeria. Current management options for virus infection in Capsicum spp. is by the integration of several approaches. More importantly, eradication of infected plants, cultivation of disease resistant varieties, improved cultural practices and judicious use of insecticides especially when plants are young and easily colonized by vectors. In recent years, eco-friendly control measures are needful to reduce occurrence of virus diseases in Capsicum spp.