What is a cucumber mosaic virus?

Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) is a plant virus that attacks a number of species, including cucumbers and many other vineyards, as well as tomatoes, potatoes and more. It is the most widespread plant virus in terms of possible affected species. CMV affects a large number of plants grown for food around the world. It is known that it is transmitted by aphids and sometimes seeds. As with all plants viruses, there is no treatment for infected plants. The best defense against this virus is to grow resistant varieties and eradat infected crops to prevent spread. Under warm and humid conditions preferred by numerous species of aphids known to be carried by the virus, crops damage can be serious and even catastrophic with losses that close to 100%. They also attack tomatoes, peppers, celery and beans. The crops of leaves such as salad and spinach and many root crops such as potatoes and beets are also vulnerable. Many important fruit crops such as bananas as well as many kinds of PLEGreat and ornamental plants.

Symptoms of cucumber mosaic vary to species. In cucumbers it affects all parts of the plant, including leaves and fruit. The leaves are spotted spots with spots and lines reminiscent of a mosaic, hence the name, as well as often abnormally wrinkled and curled. Cucumbers are often deformed and also spotted whitish spots and a pattern of mosaic and the taste is adversely affected, although the virus is not dangerous to humans. Infected plants show very slowly, reduced growth and flower production.

In other species, the leaves are often reduced and have wrinkles, curled or narrowed growth patterns. Characteristic mosaic formula Mottling with veins and spots is common. Overall growth is often dwarf and the shape of the leaves in many plants is characterized by extreme narrowing. Polish crops like salad often cannot develop good heads. Fruit as well as all other parts of the plant can beto influence.

Because aphids are the primary transmission vector for this virus, its spread is often determined by the conditions that the aphid population is controlled and the weather is spreading. Warm and humid conditions prefer aphid spread and cucumber mosaic virus. It seems that very dry conditions prevent its spread and the virus is not in dry areas. CMV is most active during warm periods, but can survive in a non -free state in the seeds and in sleeping parts of plants such as roots, even in winter weather.

Cucumber mosaic control is primarily a matter of growing resistant varieties and destruction of affected crops as soon as it was detected. Aphids that spread the disease quickly spreading and can quickly infect large areas. One way of controlling the virus is the variety resistant to planting on the edge of fields and other varieties in the interior. The aphids are able to spread the disease only for a very short time and at a time when it reaches vulnerable varieties, it is no longer a carrier. PosThree mineral oil on plants to discourage aphids is another method of control.