Lettuce: Lettuce big vein virus

categories: Lettuce Lettuce Diseases Vegetables

revision date: 2022-12-07 12:00

Lettuce big vein virus symptoms.
Lettuce big vein virus symptoms
Photo by: R.S. Byther

Biology

Lettuce Big Vein Virus is transmitted by a fungus which inhabits the roots. Virus infection causes tissues next to veins to become clear, resulting in an enlarged appearance of the veins. The vein clearing becomes more severe with time. Leaves become puckered and mottled in appearance. Outer leaves may grow more rigidly upright than normal leaves. The heads may be loose and smaller than normal or slow in developing. The disease is more prevalent in poorly-drained soils and causes more severe symptoms in cool weather (<60° F). The virus can persist in the resting spores of the fungus for ten or more years.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

  • Do not plant lettuce in infested soils, when possible.
  • Do not plant cool-season lettuce where Big Vein has been a problem in the past.
  • Plant in well-drained soils.
  • Do not overwater, particularly when temperatures are cool.
  • Remove plant debris from the garden. Destroy or discard (do not compost) diseased materials.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

  • None recommended.

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