Yield Variation and Magnitude of Disease-Associated Losses; Multiple regression: Actual vs predicted yield

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) a viral pathogen limiting pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). This study evaluated twenty-seven advanced yellow pepper breeding lines under natural CMV infection to identify genotypes with stable tolerance and yield. Field experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Disease incidence and severity were assessed at 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP), and fruit yield was measured at harvest with significant genotypic differences (P < 0.005). The yield varied (37.4–247.7 kg ha⁻¹), with yield reductions. The disease severity at 8 WAP had negative association with yield (r ≈ −0.51). The genotypes 5, 8, 14, and 25 combined low severity scores (≤ 2.0) with high yield (>200 kg ha⁻¹). These findings showed the importance of quantitative tolerance with targeted symptom suppression. Hence, the deployment of tolerant cultivars should be integrated with cultural and biological vector management strategies to ensure durable disease control.