Incidence of pests and viral disease on pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.) in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

BackgroundThe solanaceous fruit crop pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.), originating in the Andes, is grown commercially in South American countries and New Zealand. In these areas, pests and diseases of pepino have been identified well; however, to date, these have seldom been investigated in detail in Japan. Herein, we attempt to reconstruct an agricultural production system for commercial pepino crops in Japan, and evaluate the incidence of pests and viral diseases on pepino. The findings of this study will facilitate in developing a better crop system for the commercial cultivation of healthy pepino fruits.New informationA total of 11 species, comprising nine insects and two mites, were recognized as pests of pepino plants in our experimental fields in Kanagawa Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. Of these pest species, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 and the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877, were remarkably abundant than the other pest species. Eventually, 13 species, including two previously recorded, are currently recognized as the pests of pepino in Japan. With regard to viruses, we tested two species Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), as well as three genera Carlavirus, Potexvirus, and Potyvirus. No virus was detected in symptomatic pepino leaves collected in our experimental fields. This is a first report on the identification of pests on pepino plants in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan and elucidates the relationship between currently occurring pests of pepino plants and potential viral pathogens that they can transmit.

Insect and mite pests of pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.) in Japan

“…A total of more than 80 collections were performed in the 11 study sites (once at sites 1, 6, 7, 10, and 11; three times at site 4; four times at sites 8 and 9; nine times at site 5; 24 times at site 3; and more than 30 times at site 2) from February 24th, 2017 to March 14th, 2019. Our sampling period followed that of Kim et al (2017), with two exceptions, as unidentified specimens collected on October 26th and November 23rd, 2016 represented the species not found in this main survey. Each of the collections was conducted for a maximum of three hours during the daytime by one or two persons.…”

“…To date, 13 insect and mite species have been recorded in Japan as pests of pepino (Kim et al 2017). However, few studies have been conducted on pests of pepino plants in Japan.…”

“…The reason for this may be that the number of pests of pepino plants recognized in Japan is rather low compared to those of other popular solanaceous crops such as tomato ( S. lycopersicum ), eggplant ( S. melongena ), potato ( S. tuberosum ), and green pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) (The Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology 2006). This low number of pests is attributable to the small area in which studies have been conducted on pepino, which has a radius of 250 m at most (Kim et al 2017). In order to develop an accurate understanding of pests of pepino plants, it is necessary to conduct research across an extensive area of Japan.…”

“…In order to expand the basic knowledge required for the establishment of pest control for pepino plants, we conducted investigations of pepino pests in Japan in the experimental fields of our university, Tokyo University of Agriculture, as well as on farms and in garden centers in Japan. This study was conducted under a project for regional development titled ‘Launching of Nodai-branded Pepino Crop’ conducted by the Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture (Kim et al 2017). This paper documents the results of our field surveys of pests of pepino plants in Japan after the latest report by Kim et al (2017), with a brief discussion on pests of importance to the cultivation of pepino in Japan.…”

“…This study was conducted under a project for regional development titled ‘Launching of Nodai-branded Pepino Crop’ conducted by the Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture (Kim et al 2017). This paper documents the results of our field surveys of pests of pepino plants in Japan after the latest report by Kim et al (2017), with a brief discussion on pests of importance to the cultivation of pepino in Japan.…”