Greenhouse Plants Threatened with Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus
Posted: April 3, 2012
Important information for all who work with greenhouse crops!
Impatiens necrotic spot virus on begonia
Friday, March 30, 2012, a begonia arrived at the Penn State Plant Disease clinic with mottled leaves. April 2, 2012 (Monday) a lobelia arrived with mottled leaves, dead spots, line patterns, stunting, and etches. Both greenhouse-grown plants tested positive for impatiens necrotic spot virus, a thrips-vectored virus.
Impatiens necrotic spot virus Fact Sheet
Thrips Management Program Fact Sheet
This is a major concern particularly because:
- It is right in the middle of the bedding plant production cycle.
- Bedding plants will be going out the door for sales very soon if they are not out already.
- Thrips can move this virus to MANY different plants very rapidly.
Growers MUST:
- Monitor their crops for thrips using sticky cards
- Discard infected plants because they can't be cured and will only act as a virus source
- Contact their plant inspector to determine the best thrips management strategy for their particular crops.
Penn State does not have an entomologist with responsibilities for greenhouse crops.
