3 Vegetable Plant Diseases CEA Growers Should Watch
As new plant diseases continue to emerge and pose serious threats to vegetable crops, it’s more important than ever for growers to stay vigilant and adapt their disease management strategies. Experts are sharing timely insights into these evolving pathogens and offering proactive solutions to help safeguard yields and protect crop health.
Emerging Vegetable Plant Diseases
1. Whitefly-transmitted virus: Small sap-sucking insects that feed on the undersides of leaves causing severe damage to crop by stunting growth, yellowing leaves, and reducing yield quality and quantity across the southeastern parts of the U.S. It affects cucurbits, tomatoes, and peppers.
Researchers discovered that watermelon vine decline was caused by a whitefly-transmitted virus, which they called squash vein yellowing virus. | Photo: Dr. Scott Adkins
Treatment includes “IPM-based strategies that combine disease avoidance (timing of planting, vector exclusion using protective netting), pesticides application, and natural enemies,” says Olufemi J. Alabi, Ph.D., Professor & Extension Specialist at Texas A&M University.
2. Tomato spotted wilt virus: Transmitted primarily by thrips, causing stunted growth, necrotic spots, and ring patterns on leaves. It affects a wide range of crops, including tomatoes and peppers.
“We have seen host resistance fail on multiple farms, but only in one county in North Carolina. And the losses in some cases have been up to 80% crop loss. We are actively monitoring these variants, and our researchers are working to identify alternative sources of resistance in tomato,” Inga Meadows, Extension Plant Pathologist – Vegetables & Herbaceous Ornamentals at NC State University.
Suggested treatment includes following up with an entomologist. But also, a combination of insecticides and reflective mulches can help in confusing the thrips ability to locate the plants.
Gray leaf spot symptoms on tomato.
Photo: Florida Division of Plant Industry
3. Gray leaf spot: A fungal disease affecting heirloom tomatoes, causing small, greyish-brown lesions on leaves. As these disease progresses, it weakens the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. This pathogen is incredibly aggressive in North Carolina. “This disease has re-emerged when consumers started preferring heirloom tomatoes, which have no resistance,” Meadows says.
This disease is easily managed with selecting resistant varieties, particularly in the late season when this disease is most prevalent. A fungicide program can also easily help to manage this disease.
From recognizing early warning signs to integrating resistant varieties and updated control methods, staying ahead of these plant diseases is critical. By taking a strategic, science-based approach, growers can better prepare for the seasons ahead and minimize the risk of devastating loses.
Editor’s note: This article was adapted from one written for our sister brand, GrowingProduce.com.