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 symptoms. Photo by Robert Gilbertson. New VirusesUC IPM has produced two new brochures to help growers identify tomato yellow leaf curl virus and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder. 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. A PDF file of the brochure can be downloaded from the UC IPM Web site, as well as a pest management guideline on tomato yellow leaf curl. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus is a member of a family of viruses that are spread by whiteflies 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 UC Davis plant pathologist Robert Gilbertson, the UC IPM 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. Color photos illustrate disease symptoms and the whiteflies that spread the virus. 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 CDFA scientist Tonyan Tian, (916) 262-1127. The California Tomato Research Institute, Inc., and California Tomato Growers Association, Inc., supported this project. In fall 2006, cucurbit yellow stunting disorder was found for the first time in California and Arizona. The virus that causes this disease was identified in melons and squash grown in Imperial County, Calif., and around Yuma, Ariz. Because this disease has the potential to devastate cucurbit crops, it is critical to limit its spread. The UC IPM Program has developed a brochure to inform growers about this disease, how to recognize it, what to do if they find diseased plants, and what management strategies can be used to prevent establishment and spread of the disease. Next article >> Pesticide drift in Kern County
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