Pepino mosaic virus
The PHSI will be continuing inspections of both tomato plant propagators
and fruit producers. Given the very contagious nature of the disease,
once again we are seeking the full co-operation of growers. Growers are
advised to follow these guidelines for inspection of their own crops:
| Inspect plants on arrival, and regularly during the first few weeks of growth. |
| Handle just the propagation cube and not the plant itself. |
| Delay handling plants for as long as possible prior to stringing. |
| Do not handle plants whilst walking along the row to check them. |
| Pay particular attention to the plant heads and scan them in the rows 1 or 2 across from the pathway you are walking in. |
| Symptoms to check for include leaf bubbling and distortion and a ‘nettlehead’ symptom in which the leaves are held more rigid and upright than usual and have a pale yellow mosaic. Plants may also be stunted. |
| Click here for pictures and more information |
If suspect symptoms are seen:
| Inform your local Plant Health and Seeds Inspector that you suspect PepMV. |
| Suspend all work in this area until the test for PepMV has been completed. |
| Physically isolate the suspect area and surrounding rows to prevent anyone going into the area inadvertently. |
| Mark the string of the suspect plant(s) with coloured tape or other obvious marker. |
| Disinfect all trolleys, boxes, knives and other equipment which has been used in this area. |
| Take a sample by placing your hand inside a polythene bag and picking off the leaves showing symptoms (using the bag as a glove), turn the bag inside out drawing the sample leaves into it, thus avoiding contamination of the outside of the bag. |
| Normally your local Plant Health and Seeds Inspector will visit, test the sample on site using a diagnostic kit and arrange for the sample to be sent to CSL for testing; if this is not possible, arrangements can be made for samples to be sent directly to CSL. |
Pepino mosaic virus symptoms
 Please click on the image above to view these symptoms in more detail |
The main symptoms of the Pepino mosaic virus on tomato are severe bubbling and blistering on younger leaves. |
Page last modified:
26 Oct 2006
Page published: 21 Jul 2003