Protection methods

- During cultivation

There is no curative control method that can effectively control the alfalfa ( mosaic virus Alfalfa mosaic virus , AMV) during cultivation. An infected plant will remain so for its entire life.

If attacks take place in the nursery and if they are detected early, the few plants showing symptoms of AMV will be quickly eliminated ; they will not be planted subsequently.

The Aphicides treatments are essential to control aphid populations on salads. Unfortunately, they are often ineffective in controlling virus epidemics. In fact, vector aphids frequently come from outside the plot and transmit the virus during brief bites, even before the aphicide has time to act.


- Next crop

Due to the low incidence of this virus and its mode of transmission, conventional measures will be implemented to prevent or, at the very least, to limit as much as possible the introduction of this virus and its spread in the plots of salad.

In countries where contamination is very early, it will be necessary to protect nurseries and young plants . For this, we can use agrotextiles (non-woven sails, mesh fabrics, etc.). The mechanical barrier thus created will delay contamination.

A weeding careful nurseries, plots and their surroundings (edges of hedges and paths ...) will be carried out to eliminate the sources of viruses and / or vectors. We should avoid setting up a salad crop near productions more sensitive to AMV such as alfalfa, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, etc.

No resistance to AMV has been reported in lettuce or other Lactuca .


NB: Controlling insect populations on a crop implies, depending on the situation, the use of insecticides. As the number of insecticides available for a given use is constantly changing, we advise you to consult the e-phy site of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries which is an online catalog of plant protection products and their uses, materials. fertilizers and growing media approved in France. This also applies to all biological products based on microorganisms or natural substances.