Viruses reduce yield and quality in tomato, pepper, cucumber, okra and many others.
How they spread
Mostly by insects (whiteflies, aphids, thrips), but also on tools, hands and seed.
Management
- Start clean: virus-free seedlings raised under insect-proof nets.
- Control vectors from the nursery on; use yellow sticky traps for early warning.
- Resistant or tolerant varieties are the most effective step.
- Rogue out infected plants promptly and remove weeds that host viruses and vectors.
- Avoid planting next to old infected crops; plan clean breaks between crops.
- Wash hands and tools when working with susceptible crops.
Symptoms: mosaic, curling, yellowing, stunting; confirm with an extension service.
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