How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

SYMPTOMS

The leaves of plants infected with Tomato infectious chlorosis virus become yellow or red between the veins, stunted, and rolled. Symptoms generally occur on older leaves, while new growth continues to appear normal. As the disease progresses, interveinal necrosis can occur and the leaves become characteristically brittle, thick, and crisp.

COMMENTS ON THE DISEASE

Outbreaks of virus diseases are unpredictable from year to year and for various geographic locations. This virus is transmitted by the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum. Although the disease has the potential to cause severe losses to both fresh market and greenhouse-grown tomatoes, it generally causes minor losses. In addition to tomato, this virus infects a wide array of weeds, crops, and ornamentals, including bristly oxtongue (Picris echloides), groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus), shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), artichoke (Cynera scolymus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), potato (Solanum tuberosum), zinnia (Zinnia elegans), and petunia (Petunia hybrida).

MANAGEMENT

Minimize exposure to this virus by avoiding overlap with other susceptible crops. Avoid using infected transplants. Roguing of infected plants and general whitefly control may help reduce virus spread.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato
UC ANR Publication 3470
Diseases
R. M. Davis, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
G. Miyao, UC Cooperative Extension, Solano/Yolo counties
K. Subbarao, USDA Agricultural Research Station, Salinas
J. J. Stapleton, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
Acknowledgments for contributions to the disease section:
B. W. Falk, Plant Pathology, UC Davis