Tobacco Etch Virus
Casual Agent
Tobacco etch virus is an aphid-transmitted potyvirus that has been 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 Solanaceae 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, lamb’s quarter, 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.
- Early monitoring. Monitor for infected plants early in the season and remove them.
- Monitor aphid populations early. Apply insecticide treatments when needed.