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Cucumber mosaic virus
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)
Viral diseaseHigh impact
One of the most widespread plant viruses, spread primarily by aphids. Affects a broad range of crops including cucurbits, legumes, and herbs. There is no cure once a plant is infected; management focuses on controlling aphid vectors and removing infected material.
Currently in peak season - extra vigilance worthwhile.
Key facts
- Type
- Viral disease
- Active season
- May - Sep
- Peak season
- Jun - Aug
- Vulnerable stages
- Growing · Harvesting
- Spread rate
- moderate
- If confirmed
- Act now
Signs & symptoms
- -yellow-green mosaic mottling on leaves
- -distorted, puckered, or curled leaves
- -stunted growth and reduced vigour
- -on courgette: fruits may be mottled, misshapen, or fail to develop
Management
Do now
- -Remove and bin infected plants - do not compost
- -Control aphid populations to reduce spread to healthy plants
- -Wash hands and tools between handling plants
Prevention
- -Choose virus-resistant varieties where available
- -Control aphids proactively from mid-spring to reduce transmission risk
Resistant varieties
Further reading
- -CMV spreads by aphids, not soil - infected aphids can introduce the virus within seconds of landing on a plant
- -The virus has an enormous host range - weeds around the garden can act as reservoirs