Other Viral Diseases

Cucumber mosaic virus symptoms are similar to those of celery mosaic with the addition of sunken brown spots on the stalk.

Symptoms of Tomato spotted wilt virus appear on older leaves as yellow spots that turn brown. Large sections of stalks turn brown and eventually die. Plants may be severely stunted. Tomato spotted wilt disease is most commonly found in the coastal celery-growing areas.

Impatiens necrotic spot virus, which can be a devastating disease on lettuce, is starting to be detected on celery. Thus far symptoms are only on petioles and appear as light to dark brown, circular to oval lesions.

Precise identification of the various celery viruses requires laboratory tests.

These viral diseases occur sporadically and usually do not cause significant economic loss in California celery. These viruses have extensive host ranges and are found in many agronomic, ornamental, and weed plants.

Cucumber mosaic virus is vectored by aphids.

Tomato spotted wilt virus and Impatiens necrotic spot virus are vectored by western flower thrips.

Avoid planting celery in areas having a history of virus problems, or near fields that have crops infected with these viruses. Manage weeds.

Use cultural controls in a certified organic crop.

There are no pesticide controls for plant viruses. Insecticides will not stop aphid or thrips-vector transmission of the pathogens.