Dealing With the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Tomatoes are, by far, the most popular garden plant in America. Unfortunately, they are one of the most disease-prone plants we can raise! The tomato spotted wilt virus may be the most hated tomato disease. It destroys crops in gardens all across the world, and is something to watch out for.

Spotted wilt virus doesn’t just attack tomatoes. It can kill other plants, as well, like celery, peppers, potato, eggplant, beans, and cauliflower. It also loves many flower varieties like marigolds, morning glories, and zinnias. Even some common weeds can be infected and spread the virus.

The virus is transmitted by a tiny insect called a thrip. Because of this pest’s life cycle and habits, pest control is extremely difficult. There are no effective ways to prevent the spotted wilt virus from attacking your garden. Your best bet is to be vigilant, and if a plant appears to have contracted the disease, it should be immediately removed from the garden to avoid spreading the virus.

The Symptoms

On tomato plants, the virus produces easily-recognizable symptoms. The fruit will take on a warty appearance. Young tomatoes will have green rings with raised centers, and mature fruit will have sickly yellow, orange, or red blotches. On the leaves of tomato and other plants, the disease will produce a brown, wilted look, sometimes running in lines up and down the stem. The uppers leaves may curl and wilt.

If a plant looks like it may be infected with the virus, it’s best to remove and destroy it immediately so it will not spread to other plants in your garden. The only way to make a positive diagnosis of the spotted wilt virus is through laboratory testing, but it’s expensive and time-consuming. So it’s best to just sacrifice a tomato plant or two, and not risk a disease-destroyed garden.

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