Diseases

Viral mosaic diseases

Viral mosaic diseases are a group of systemic infectious plant diseases manifesting in variegated leaf coloration, tissue deformation, and reduced productivity. These diseases are caused by various pathogens, spread by pests and through contact, and are virtually untreatable.

Mentioned in descriptions 22 022 varieties reference book.

Viral mosaic diseases are characterized by the appearance of alternating spots of different colors on plant organs, including light rings, star-shaped spots, or stripes. In addition to specific variegated coloration, affected plants often exhibit leaf blade curling, wrinkling, and crinkling, as well as stunted overall growth and deformation of fruits and flowers. Sometimes the infection is latent, where visual symptoms are absent, yet crop productivity is significantly reduced.

Pathogen dissemination occurs through vectors such as aphids, true bugs, mites, and nematodes, as well as through mechanical transfer of sap from diseased plants during care, pruning, or physical contact. Infection is possible via seeds, planting material, soil, and crop residues. The intensity of infection development depends on weather conditions, particularly temperature regimes, and crop density, which facilitates rapid virus transmission.

Varietal resistance to mosaics is determined by the presence of specific or recessive genes affecting translation initiation. During breeding and variety testing, resistance is evaluated under artificial inoculation on infectious disease plots. Modern diagnostics for controlling viral load include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while field resistance is determined by a variety's ability to not accumulate the pathogen throughout the growing season.

Sources10

Breakdown by crop

Tomato Mosaic Virus 2 411 Pepper Mosaic Viruses 1 221 Lettuce mosaic virus 907 Cucumber mosaic viruses 850 Bean mosaic viruses 575 Zucchini Mosaic Viruses 295 Barley mosaic viruses 179 Viral Mosaic — Sweet Corn 100 Pea mosaic viruses 88 Tomato Mosaic Viruses 73 Viral mosaics of tomato (interspecific hybrids) 62 Viral mosaics of wheat 60 Potato mosaic viruses 49 Eggplant Mosaic Viruses 39 Viral mosaics of durum wheat 29 Alstroemeria Mosaic Viruses 26 Tobacco Mosaic Virus 26 Maize Dwarf Mosaic 23 Soybean Mosaic Virus 18 Spinach Mosaic Viruses 18 Raspberry Mosaic Virus Complex 16 Viral mosaics of yellow lupine 12 Fig mosaic disease 11 Viral Mosaic — Giant Pumpkin 11

Found in these crops

Tomato 2 412 Bell pepper 1 220 Lettuce 912 Cucumber 853 Common bean 585 Field pumpkin 296 Barley 181 Sweet corn 113 Pea 110 Bread wheat 74 Tomato 73 hybrids between Solanum lycopersicum L. and S. habrochaites S. Knapp & D.M. Spooner 62

Varieties that feature this in their description

Selection based on the description text, not official resistance ratings: such data is not available in registers. Mention indicates that the trait is discussed in the variety's sources; see the variety's profile for details on what is specifically stated.

Celtic

Terminated

Lactuca sativa L. · Lettuce

Gautier Semences SAS (FR)

FR NL

4 records

Dante

Active

Solanum lycopersicum L. · Tomato

ROYAL SLUIS

NL PL

6 records

Diseases

Powdery mildew 33 570
Fusarium wilt and blight 29 887
Downy mildew 16 384
Leaf spot diseases 15 926
Rust 14 859
Verticillium wilt 12 175
Scab 12 064
Grey mold 7 316

All terms →

Text source

This summary is compiled from the publications listed in the sources and verified by an editor. It contains no legally significant information; it provides agronomic context for registry data rather than the registry data itself.