Tobacco Etch Virus

Symptoms of Tobacco Etch Virus in Tomato Foliage
Symptoms of Tobacco Etch Virus in Tomato Foliage
Symptoms of Tobacco Etch Virus in Tomato Foliage
Symptoms of Tobacco Etch Virus in Tomato Foliage

Causal Agent

Tobacco etch virus is an aphid-transmitted potyvirus found on pepper plants in Utah. 

Symptoms

The virus causes foliage to become severely mottled in coloration and wrinkled. Plants infected early in the season will become stunted and not produce harvestable fruit.

Disease Cycle

Multiple aphid species can transmit the virus from other solanaceous crop and weed hosts. Aphids only need to feed on a TEV-infected plant for a few seconds to pick up the virus. The virus is not transmissible by seed.

Management

  • Remove nearby weeds. Weed species such as thistle, lambsquarter, sickle pod, jimson weed, black nightshade and others can serve as an alternate host. If possible, allow at least 30 yards between susceptible crops and weeds.
  • Monitor early. Monitor for infected plants early in the season and remove them.
  • Use insecticides. Apply insecticide treatments when needed.