I've got about 20 C. annuums (paprika, cayenne, cubanelle, etc ...) planted in the garden now and suddenly they're all showing stunted growth, with small, wrinkly, distorted leaves. I started them from seed, and carefully ammended the soil with calphos (soft rock phosphate), langbeinite (sul-po-mag), and a little composted chicken manure.

At first, all our pepper seedlings started off vigorously, but then suddenly the *entire lot* came down with these symptoms. It seems to have struck at transplanting time, but even the peppers I left in 4" pots instead of planting out in rows got affected too.

They're planted in a row, next to 6 healthy and vigorous tomatoes, and 3 happy tomatillos. So I don't think its caused by poor nutrition or herbicide exposure.

I looked really hard at the affected parts with a bright light and jeweler's magnifying glass. After a careful search, I could see maybe 3 aphids and 3 thrips, but there is little evidence of bugs. I wouldn't call it an infestation.

There is no necrosis, browning, or yellowing of the foliage. The stems look normal. No leaves falling off.

I believe it may be a viral infection. Researching "pepper mild mottle virus" turned up some information. Some of the facts about PMMoV are it is (1) carried in the seed coat, (2) incurable, (3) causes reduced yield and ugly fruit, (4) can be isolated from Tobasco sauce, (5) is widespread in the USDA capsicum seed bank, (6) can be transmitted by handling the plants and cutting/trimming with unsterilized hands or tools.

I don't want to be a false alarmist, but it seems like these symptoms could be easily misdiagnosed as 'user error' in the application of plant food & pesticide. But if it is a virus, then extra effort is needed to stop it from getting around.

For instance, the practices of topping seedlings and pinching off early buds could help spread an infection.

I will try and do some experiments to back up the virus hypothesis.