Insect Vector-borne viruses can alter the phenotype of their host plants to manipulate the plant’s response to biotic stress. Under biotic stress, plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a defense strategy. However, viral infection can alter these VOC profiles, increasing host-vector interactions and facilitating virus dissemination, often leading to significant yield losses. This study aims to investigate virus-induced VOCs in pepper (Capsicum annuum) infected with Pepper Vein Yellows Virus-2 (PeVYV-2) and evaluate their potential as biomarkers for early detection and pest management. We hypothesize that virus-infected pepper plants emit a different spectrum of volatiles that influence the behavior of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), the virus vector. VOCs were extracted using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Comparative analysis revealed elevated levels of green leaf volatiles (GLVs)/fatty acid derivatives in non-viruliferous and viruliferous aphid-infested plants. In contrast, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and benzenoids were significantly reduced in both infested treatments compared to healthy controls, suggesting suppression of defense-related signaling. These VOC changes likely enhance vector attraction and virus spread. This study provides new insights into the pepper–aphid–virus interaction and highlights the potential of VOC profiling in developing sustainable, VOC-based crop management strategies.
