Leaf Curl Virus: Symptoms, Prevention, and Control

Leaf Curl Virus and Yellow Mosiac Diseases are two of the major viral diseases that trouble a lot of farmers across the country. It has become a major concern for various crops as it hinders the growth, yield as well as productivity of the crops to a very large extent.

Leaf Curl and Yellow Mosiac Virus are caused by a group of viruses called the begomoviruses. These viruses are majorly transmitted to the crops via Whiteflies or Aphids. Like any other disease, management of leaf curl and yellow mosaic is done by understanding the symptoms and identifying the transmitting agents.

In this article, BharatAgri’s Krushi Doctors will share the management strategies for controlling and preventing your crops from the deadly impacts of leaf curl and yellow mosaic diseases. Keep reading the article till the end to get expert tips and suggestions if you’re looking to increase your crop yield.

How is Leaf Curl and Yellow Mosaic Disease Caused?

Leaf curl virus and mosaic virus are both significant plant pathogens that can severely affect crop health and yield. Let us have a look at the causes of these diseases

Leaf Curl Virus

• Leaf Curl Virus is primarily transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), tiny insects that feed on the sap of infected plants, thereby acquiring the virus and spreading it to healthy plants.

• The virus thrives in warm, tropical climates (25-30°C), which are conducive to the growth of both the virus and its vector.

• Infected plant materials, such as seedlings, can introduce the virus into new areas. Weeds and alternative hosts also serve as reservoirs, further aiding in the virus’s spread.

• Poor crop rotation practices can exacerbate the buildup and dissemination of the virus within and between fields.

Yellow Mosaic Virus

• Mosaic Virus is caused by a group of viruses, including Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), and is transmitted through various means, including insect vectors like aphids and mechanical methods.

• This virus infects a wide range of plants, leading to symptoms such as mottled or variegated leaves.

• The virus can be spread through contaminated tools, plant materials, and soil. Mosaic virus is prevalent in various climates and can be particularly damaging in crops with poor resistance.

Affected Crops

Leaf Curl and Yellow Mosaic Diseases affect a variety of crops, the primary host crops of these viral diseases are: Tomato, Chilli, Brinjal, Cotton, Tobacco, Okra, Papaya, Cucurbit, Cucumber, Squash, Bean, Pumpkin.

Common Symptoms of Leaf Curl and Yellow Mosaic Virus       

Here are the symptoms of these two diseases:

Leaf Curl Virus:

• Curling Leaves: Affected leaves exhibit upward or downward curling along their edges, giving them a cupped or crinkled appearance.

• Thickened Leaves: Leaves become thick, leathery, stiff, and brittle compared to healthy leaves.

• Enlarged Veins: Veins on infected leaves may become thicker and more pronounced.

• Reduced Flower and Fruit Production: Infected plants may produce fewer flowers and fruits, which may be small, misshapen, or of poor quality.

Mosaic Virus:

• Mosaic Pattern: Leaves develop a mosaic pattern of light and dark green or yellow patches, giving them a mottled appearance.

• Leaf Distortion: Affected leaves may become wrinkled, crumpled, or distorted in shape.

• Chlorosis: Yellowing of leaves is common, often starting from the leaf margins and spreading inward.

• Poor Yield: Infected plants may produce lower yields and may have poorly developed flowers and fruits.

Preventive Measures for Leaf Curl and Yellow Mosaic Virus

• Use disease-free seeds or seedlings: Use disease free seeds that are resistant to viral attacks, we suggest seeds from the brands like

• Practice crop rotation: Avoid planting the same susceptible crops in the same area repeatedly. For instance, rotate tomato or chili crops with non-host plants such as legumes, onions, or brassicas.

• Early planting: Plant crops early to ensure they are established before the peak disease season.

• Remove infected plants: Immediately remove and destroy any plants showing signs of leaf curl disease.

• Weed control: Keep the field and surrounding areas free of weeds.

• Grow barrier crops: Plant barrier crops around the field to deter whiteflies, such as maize or sorghum in chili fields or sesbania in tobacco fields.

• Install sticky traps: Place 8-10 yellow sticky traps per acre to control the whitefly population.

How to Manage Leaf Curl Virus and Mosaic Virus in Crops?

1. There is no specific chemical control available to recover viral infections in plants.

2. However, implementing preventive measures, maintaining plant health, and controlling vectors can significantly help manage leaf curl disease.

3. Prophylactic use of an organic viricide and silicon during the early stages of crop growth can boost the plant’s natural defense mechanisms.

4. Viricides enter the plant through stomatal openings and are transported throughout the plant via vascular bundles.

5. They prevent viruses from entering plant cells by blocking their attachment or fusion with the cell membranes.

6. Viricides interfere with the virus’s outer layer or the plant cell surface, hindering the virus’s ability to attach to cells.

7. They disrupt the cell’s machinery responsible for protein production, which is crucial for the virus’s replication.

8. Viricides contain antioxidants that combat damage caused by viral infections.

9. They block specific proteins on the virus that are required for sticking to plant cells, helping to control the infection in its early stages.

10. Enhancing the plant’s resistance to diseases through these methods is beneficial in managing leaf curl disease effectively.

Below is a list of some organic viricides that can help stop viral infections

Note - Use one of the above organic viricides at the recommended dosage, along with silicon and one of the sucking pest insecticides mentioned below table, for both preventive and curative measures.

Management of Whiteflies/Aphids - the Vector

To control leaf curl or mosaic virus in crops, you need to manage vectors like whiteflies and aphids. These pests suck the cell sap from affected plants and spread viruses to healthy plants. Therefore, it is important to control sucking pests. Below is a list of pesticides you should use, combined with No Virus, to achieve the best results.

Conclusion

• Leaf Curl Virus and Mosaic Virus are significant threats to various crops, causing substantial yield losses.

• Whiteflies and aphids are the primary vectors for these viral diseases.

• Symptoms include leaf curling, mosaic patterns, stunted growth, and reduced fruit quality.

• Preventive measures are crucial for managing these viruses, including using resistant varieties, proper crop hygiene, and insect control.

• While there's no direct chemical cure, organic viricides can boost plant immunity.

• By adopting integrated pest management practices and leveraging available resources, farmers can effectively mitigate the impact of Leaf Curl Virus and Mosaic Virus.