Symptoms and Signs
Disease symptoms caused by Celery mosaic virus, also known as CeMV, include yellowing of foliage, mosaic or mottling patterns on leaves, vein clearing, and curled, crinkled, or otherwise distorted foliage. Necrotic leaf spots may develop on older leaves. Plants are sometimes stunted. Outer petioles grow horizontally, giving the plant a flattened appearance. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on the strain of the virus.
Comments on the Disease
Celery mosaic virus is the most common viral disease of celery, and celery is its primary host. The virus is vectored by aphids. It is not reported to be seedborne.
Management
Cultural Control
A host-free period of at least 2 to 3 months greatly reduces the incidence of Celery mosaic virus. During this time, do not grow celery in the area and eliminate weed hosts in the same plant family such as wild celery and wild parsnip. None of the commercial celery varieties used in California are resistant to Celery mosaic virus.
Organically Acceptable Methods
Use cultural controls in a certified organic crop.
Treatment Decisions
Pesticides are not effective against plant viruses. Insecticides for controlling the aphid vector are not effective in preventing viral infections.