PEMV – Pea Enation Mosaic Virus Resistant Peas

PEMV – Pea Enation Mosaic Virus Resistant Peas. Type: Virus - Enamovirus. Pea Enation Mosaic Virus is a disease that affects the growth of peas. Symptoms include bright yellow mosaic on the leaves. downward leaf rolling, blistering, and severe stunting of the plants. Pods are distorted, split open, shows enations and contain few, if any, seeds. The virus can cause substantial crop loss and complete crop loss. The virus is transmitted by aphids and is not transmitted by seeds. The virus survives for long periods in infected weeds. 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. Predators, like lady bugs, can be used to prevent an outbreak of the virus. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties.