Phenotype and spectrum of action of the Pvr4 resistance in pepper against potyviruses, and selection for virulent variants

The dominant Pvr4 gene identified in Capsicum annuum cv. Criollo de Morelos 334 (CM334) is frequently used in pepper cultivars because it possesses one of the largest spectra of action among plant virus resistance genes. This gene was previously shown to confer efficient resistance to all known Potato virus Y isolates, to Pepper mottle virus, to Pepper yellow mosaic virus and to Ecuadorian rocoto virus. This study showed that the W4 line, derived from CM334 and carrying Pvr4, was also resistant to Peru tomato mosaic virus and Pepper severe mosaic virus, but not to Pepper veinal mottle virus, Chilli veinal mottle virus or Tobacco etch virus. It was noticed that the phenotype of the resistance was atypical since, in the W4 line, hypersensitive reaction or extreme resistance could be observed, depending on virus isolates and inoculated organs. Despite the large deployment of Pvr4 in hybrid cultivars, the numerous tests performed in controlled conditions and the use of W4 serial back-inoculations with potyvirus isolates controlled by this line, no virulent variant isolates were obtained. However, it was shown that the use of graft inoculation experiments allow PVY virulent variants to be selected.