Damage Symptoms

Generally, foliage shows mild roughness, faint mottling, and slight distortion. Severe symptoms consist of dark brown, dead areas in stems of nearly mature leaflets. The terminal leaflets may show severe necrosis, and in many cases, all leaflets are affected. Infected leaflets may eventually roll downward with curved petioles, giving the plants a drooping appearance. There are no symptoms on fruit.


Conditions for Development

Potato serves as the source of PVY for tomato and pepper. The weeds Solanum atropurpureum, S. nigrum and Physalis species can serve as oversummering reservoirs. High aphid populations may contribute to virus spread. PVY does not appear to be transmitted through seed.