TuMV – Turnip Mosaic Virus
Type: Virus - Potyvirus
Turnip Mosaic Virus is a disease that affects the growth of turnips. Symptoms include light green circular and irregular lesions on leaves, leaves are distorted and mottled, blistering, and stunting of the plant. Black spots develop on leaves which prematurely drop which leads to defoliation. The virus can cause substantial crop loss. The virus is transmitted by aphids and is not transmitted by seeds. The virus survives for long periods in plant debris. Mild winter temperatures favor survival of the virus, thus the disease can be greater the following spring. The infected plants should be removed and burned to avoid further infestation. Plan on using a 3 year crop rotation and avoid planting in the same location, year after year. Insecticides for aphids can control the disease. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties.