Mosaic virus is a viral disease affecting many crops and vegetables such as beans, tobacco, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers and peppers, throughout the United States.

Plant viruses are difficult to identify, because their symptoms are similar to many nutrient deficiencies. Although, you may look for symptoms such as: leaves mottles with yellow, white, and light and dark green spots or streaks.

Other mosaic virus symptoms:

• Wrinkled, curled or small leaves
• Yellowing on veins
• Stunted growth and reduced yields

How to control mosaic viruses?

Bad news! Once the plants are infected, there is no treatment you can use to get rid of the disease. But, you may stop the spreading by removing all the infected plants and destroy them.
Very important to – disinfect all your gardening tools to prevent mosaic virus spreading.

How to prevent mosaic virus to enter your garden?

• Plant resistant plants when available in your garden. Resistant varieties of tomatoes have yet to be developed for cucumber mosaic virus, but tomatoes that are resistant to tobacco mosaic virus may have some slight resistance to cucumber mosaic virus as well.
• Mosaic viruses are mostly spread by insects, especially aphids and leafhoppers. You can try covering your plants with a floating row cover or aluminum foil mulches to prevent these insects from infecting your plants. Look at our other tips for controlling aphids.
• Control your weeds. Some types may serve as hosts for the disease.
• To avoid tobacco mosaic virus, soak seeds in a 10 percent bleach solution before planting and avoid handling tobacco near plants.