Occurrence, distribution and dynamics of virus antigen accumulation in pepper cultivation on open fields in Republic of Macedonia during 2008-2009

Research was conducted in 2008 and 2009 in order to determine the virus status of pepper (Capsicumannuum) cultivated in open fields in the Republic of Macedonia (R. Macedonia). Most of the tested seedlings were virus free, but a few seedlings were found to be infected with Potato virus Y (PVY). During the vegetative season, in the tested areas pepper plants were mostly infected by Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), while the infections by Alfalfa mosaic Virus (AMV), Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), TSWV Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus(TSWV) and PVY were less present. None of the samples were infected with Potato virus X (PVX). With the performed analysis, dynamics of virus antigen accumulation during the production period was established, which was related with less visible symptom in some of the observed infected plants.   Key words: Pepper plants, Alfalfa mosaic Virus (AMV), Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV), Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato virus X (PVX).