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Tomato Virus Disease Concerns

The viruses that cause curly top are transmitted by the beet leafhopper, which spends the winter in the foothills of the coast range and migrates to the valley floor as the natural vegetation that they are surviving on dries in spring. On the valley floor, they will feed on a variety of plants. Most of our crops are not preferred hosts, so they will not stay in crops like tomato or melons. Although tomatoes are not preferred by the beet leafhopper, curly top can severely reduce yields.  

This disease has plagued growers of susceptible crops in the Central San Joaquin Valley since the early years of production in this region. The history of the disease is that it occurs erratically, causing notable losses one season and being present at noticeable but economically unimportant levels for several years following the outbreak. However, there is no clear pattern but some factors that favor higher incidence.  

Management of curly top is unlikely to be effective unless an integrated control program is used. The biology and control options of this disease will be discussed at the Vegetable Crops Research Update at the University of California West Side Research and Extension Center on 14 Feb from 8:30 to 11:45. Other topics covered will include Bagrada bug, salinity management, herbicide carryover and recent nematode control research. If you have questions, please contact Tom Turini at 559-375-3147.