Virus Diseases—Beet western yellows, Lettuce infectious
yellows, and Lettuce mosaic
Many viruses are difficult to distinguish from one another by symptom alone. In addition, for each particular
disease, the symptoms will vary greatly depending on stage of plant at time of infection and other factors.
In general, symptoms consist of various leaf and plant deformities, stunting and poor growth, and yellowing
or a mosaic or mottling pattern in the leaves. Identification of the particular pathogenic agent can
only be made with serological, inoculation, or other laboratory tests.
Life cycle
SolutionsBuy and plant virus-free seed if available. After symptoms on plants occur, there is no practical control.
Aluminum foil mulches or row covers may help prevent infection by aphid- and leafhopper-transmitted viruses.
Plants showing symptoms near harvest are edible. Plants that show symptoms early may produce no heads
or only small ones. |
Plants
infected with virus
|
