Defeating Turnip Mosaic Virus: A Comprehensive Guide for Growers
Are you a grower of cole crops, such as cabbages and brassicas, who’s been plagued by the destructive turnip mosaic virus (TuMV)? If so, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of TuMV, exploring its various aspects and offering valuable insights on how to control and prevent its spread.
What You Will Learn
In this article, we will cover:
- Types of Plants Affected
- Damage
- Symptoms
- Spread of Turnip Mosaic Virus
- Mixed Infections with Cauliflower Mosaic Virus
- Control Strategies
Types of Plants Affected
Did you know that turnip mosaic virus has a host range that spans at least 318 species of plants in 43 families? This wide-ranging virus infects plants all over the world, with cruciferous vegetables being particularly vulnerable. Turnip, radish, mustard, and Chinese cabbage are among the most severely affected by TuMV. Other plant families susceptible to the virus include spinach, beets, lettuce, rhubarb, and tobacco.
Damage
When it comes to the damage caused by TuMV, the timing of infection is crucial. While plants infected late in the season may not suffer significant yield losses, early infections can be devastating. In the worst-case scenario, plants infected in the seedbed or shortly after transplanting can experience losses of up to 75%.
Symptoms
The symptoms of TuMV infection can vary depending on the host plant and its growth stage. Young leaves may exhibit yellow, round spots, while cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower leaves develop light green circular lesions. These lesions can expand, leading to the complete loss of leaves and plant stunting. Cabbages may show dead spots on the outer leaves, while turnips, radishes, and mustards can display leaf distortion, stunting, and variegated mosaic patterns. Chinese cabbages often exhibit symptoms on one side of the plant, including vein death and dead spots on the head leaves.
Spread of Turnip Mosaic Virus
Aphids play a critical role in the transmission of TuMV, feeding on plants for mere seconds and spreading the virus rapidly. Winged aphids can carry the virus over a thousand feet, with particular threats including green peach, turnip, and cabbage aphids. Weather conditions, such as warmth and dryness, favor aphid reproduction, leading to increased virus spread. Mechanical transmission, via contaminated equipment or hands, is also possible. Mixed infections with cauliflower mosaic virus can exacerbate TuMV symptoms, particularly in cool weather.
Control Strategies
Controlling TuMV primarily involves eliminating aphids and weeds, which serve as hosts for the virus. It’s essential to focus on weed management, especially in the brassica family, to prevent virus spread. Discarding infected plants, locating transplant beds away from infected fields, and using insecticides to eliminate aphids are recommended control measures. Additionally, incorporating plant remains into the soil after harvest, practicing good hygiene by washing hands frequently, and considering the cultivation of Danish cabbage varieties with reported resistance to TuMV can help prevent the disease from taking hold.
TuMV is a sporadic yet potentially deadly disease that can have significant implications for growers of cole crops. The presence of cauliflower mosaic virus can further complicate the disease’s course, exacerbating symptoms and causing severe stunting and vein clearing in infected plants.
If you’ve faced challenges with turnip mosaic virus in your crops, we’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments. For more information on cabbage diseases, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide.
By implementing effective control strategies and staying vigilant against TuMV, growers can minimize the impact of this destructive virus on their crops. Remember, prevention is key when it comes to combating turnip mosaic virus.
