Integrated Viral Disease Management in Vegetable Crops
Surveys as part of the project have found that virus diseases are an important cause of loss to the vegetable industry. Crops which are often severely affected include vegetable cucurbits (papaya ringspot, watermelon mosaic and zucchini yellow mosaic viruses); capsicums (Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)) and lettuce (TSWV; lettuce big vein disease). Management of viral diseases requires an integration of several methods aimed atpreventing or delaying infection of crops. Plants cannot be cured once infected. Best practice guidelines have been prepared by industry experts, in conjunction with research on disease management, as part of an integrated disease management project. Information on best practice is been provided to growers and consultants through reference material, technical papers, regional information sessions, field days and personal networks.