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Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) symptoms on tomato are varied but can include stunting and yellow/green mottling (light and dark areas in irregular patterns) on leaves. Leaves may become “strappy” or have a “shoestring” appearance; this is the symptom most identified with CMV. Few fruit are produced on infected plants. CMV is vectored by aphids.     

Cucumber mosaic virus.

(Photo: Elizabeth Bush, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org)

Management:

• Promptly remove and destroy diseased plant material
• Plant barrier crops and manage weeds (potential alternative hosts)
• Attempts to manage the insect vector has yielded inconsistent results

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