Tomato growing in the South Auckland area has been effected by various viruses over the years and most recently Pepino Mosaic Virus & Potato Virus X (PVX) are infecting tomato crops.
Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV) is often transmitted by mechanical means – tools, workers, propagation and seeds. However all seeds coming into NZ must be tested and found free of this virus so that is very unlikely to be the pathway. Bumblebees and white fly can spread the virus.
Initial symptoms include yellow spots on leaves, mottling, ‘bubbling’ and curling. Fruit shows uneven ripening and may have indentations.
Yields are often affected, and fruit not achieving Tag 1. Mildly affected fruit may still be sold as it does not present any food safety risk to people.
Hygiene becomes that most important preventative measure – it is better to keep it out than to have to learn how to grow with it.
As the name would suggest Potato Virus X (PVX) is usually found in potato crops. With tomato belonging to the same Solanaceace family as potato, it is understandable that there could be some problems if potato are growing nearby.
When combined Potato Virus X (PVX) tomato plants suffer greatly. Some symptoms are the same as PepMV – leaf mottling and stunting, but with PVX the mottled areas may also turn brown, plants struggle to thrive, and pollination is affected. Similar mechanical transmission as PepMV, but PVX has also been found in streams, drainage channels, and storage ponds. Cooler temperatures increase the effect of PVX. Fruit is randomly effected.
