EFFECT OF INTRACTION OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS AND FUSARIUM WILT ON PEPPER

The effect of mixed infection with cucumber mosaic virus (with mosaic symptoms) and Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f sp capsici on pepper in Ninevah province was performed.Results revealed that inoculation with the virus prior to the fungal inoculation caused the most severe effect compared with thatin which the fungal inoculation preceeded or the single infection with either one.The fore-mentioned treatment increased Fusarium wilt to 85% and caused a great reduction in chlorophyll content,plant height and dry weight of vegetative parts.This result illustrated the role of the virus in weakening the plant and reducing its resistance to Fusarium wilt.