Crops
Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV)
- classification : Potyviridae, Potyvirus
The Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV, Figure 1) is widespread worldwide; it is most prevalent in temperate regions on cultivated crucifers. It was isolated for the first time on lettuce in 1966 in the United States where damage is described on some particular varieties, such as iceberg or romaine batavia.
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| Figure 1 |
In France, as in Europe, the virus is detected relatively frequently on escaroles and curls, sometimes on iceberg-type batavia lettuce in summer or autumn crops. It was recently isolated in Provence from a variety of batavia, but never butter lettuce or romaine. The losses on lettuce can be considered today as negligible. It is likely that in iceberg crops, such as escarole and curly chicory, symptoms are sometimes attributed to LMV, leading to an underestimation of damage from TuMV.
In addition, it should be noted that it is particularly important to take care, during the selection of salads, not to lose resistance to this virus. Indeed, many varieties of butter and romaine lettuce are resistant as you will see later in the methods of protection.