Symptoms and Signs
Disease symptoms caused by Apium virus Y (also known as ApVY) are variable and depend on the celery cultivar. Older leaves develop yellow or brown line patterns, yellow blotches, brown lesions, and in some cases have distorted and twisted leaflets. Younger leaves may exhibit a faint mosaic or mottling. Depending on the cultivar, celery petioles sometimes exhibit dark brown, sunken, elongated lesions. Overall plant growth does not appear to be affected.
Comments on the Disease
Apium virus Y is infrequently found but, on some occasions, has resulted in crop loss due to the unsightly symptoms it causes, resulting in an unmarketable product. This virus has been found in the field on cilantro, parsley, and the poison hemlock weed.
This virus is vectored by aphids. Seedborne transmission has not been reported.
Management
Cultural Control
Eliminate poison hemlock or do not plant celery where this weed is established, as most Apium virus Y cases occur where this weed is widely distributed.
Organically Acceptable Methods
Use cultural controls in a certified organic crop.
Treatment Decisions
Pesticides are not effective against plant viruses. Insecticides targeting the aphid vector are not effective in preventing virus infections.