Information Available for Growers on a New
Disease in California Tomatoes
The Tomato Magazine
June 2007
In March 2007, the virus that causes tomato yellow leaf curl popped up
in greenhouse tomatoes being grown by a high school science class in Imperial
County. Because this disease is new to California
and potentially devastating for tomato production, agencies have produced
an informational brochure to help curtail its spread.
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus is a member of a family of viruses that
are spread by whitefl ies or leafhoppers. The virus infects peppers, some
tobacco species, and a range of weed species, but tomato is by far the
most important host.
With input from University of California Davis plant pathologist Robert
Gilbertson, the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program developed
a brochure to help growers and pest control
advisors learn about the disease, how to identify it, and what to do if
they suspect that their plants are infected. Several color photos illustrate
disease symptoms and the whitefl ies that spread the
virus.
A pdf file of the brochure can be downloaded from the UC IPM Web site:
www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783103311.html.
A pest management guideline on tomato yellow leaf curl will be posted
on the Web site in the near future. Anyone finding tomatoes with symptoms
that look like tomato yellow leaf curl should contact their local UC Cooperative
Extension office, UC Davis plant pathologist Gilbertson, (530) 752-3163,
or California Department of Food and Agriculture scientist Tonyan Tian,
(916) 262-1127.
The California Tomato Research Institute, Inc., and California Tomato
Growers Association, Inc., supported this project.
Editor’s Note: This material is courtesy of UC IPM Online, www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/NEWS/tomatodisease-news.html.
© 2007 Columbia Publishing
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