Potato Virus Y

Potato Virus Y (PVY) has been identified in several tobacco fields in the past week.  The virus can produce symptoms of leaf mottling (click here for photo), prominent leaf veins and blackening (i.e. necrosis) of the veins especially on the undersides of the leaves (click here for photo).  Plants infected early with PVY appear stunted, while later infected plants may not be and instead have symptoms limited to the upper leaves.  Infected plants or leaves will die, turning brown or yellow.  PVY is transmitted by aphids from plant to plant, so consider early treatment of the crop with an insecticide registered for their control to help limit disease spread.  Unlike Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), PVY does not persist in tobacco crop debris from season to season.