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Alfalfa

Alfalfa Mosaic Virus and Cucumber Mosaic Virus

Pathogen: Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV)
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)

(Reviewed 11/06, updated 11/06)

In this Guideline:

Symptoms
Comments on the diseases

SYMPTOMS

Alfalfa mosaic virus, may cause yellow mottling or streaking on leaves, but at other times the symptoms are masked and leaves appear normal.

Cucumber mosaic virus shows no symptoms in alfalfa.

These viruses have not been proven to be of economic importance in California alfalfa production. However, they may be transmitted by aphids that feed on alfalfa and then move to other crops. For example, alfalfa mosaic virus can cause economic losses in tomatoes and potatoes. Cucumber mosaic virus is one of several viruses that cause plant death in garbanzo beans grown in the San Joaquin Valley.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Alfalfa
UC ANR Publication 3430
Diseases
R. M. Davis, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
C. A. Frate, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County

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