Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Taro dasheen mosaic (088)

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Photo 1. Dasheen mosaic virus in taro; a feather-like patch between the veins, with slightly deformed margin.

Photo 2.  Dasheen mosaic virus throughout the leaf blade; in this case, the symptoms are either side of the veins.

Photo 3. Dasheen mosaic virus in Xanthosoma. Patterns between the veins are common in this host.

Photo 5. Dasheen mosaic virus infection in Alocasia, showing feathering along the veins in a small area of the leaf.

Photo 6. A form of Dasheen mosaic virus causing severely deformed leaves occurs in French Polynesia.

Photo 7. Severe form of Dasheen mosaic virus from French Polynesia. The leaves are yellow, deformed and in this case the youngest leaves developed without leaf blades.

Summary

• Worldwide distribution. On edible aroids, and many ornamental types. A common virus disease with minor impact.
• Feather-like, light green or grey patches, often along the veins, confined to one area or throughout the leaf, sometimes causing distortions at the margins.
• Spread is by aphids; they suck sap from diseased plants, contaminate their mouthparts, fly or are blown in wind to healthy plants and infect them as they feed again. However, ability to infect is lost quickly.
• Cultural control: there are no practical measures.
• Chemical control: not appropriate for viruses spread quickly by aphids in this way. The aphids have spread the viruses by the time they are killed by the insecticide.

Common Name

Dasheen mosaic

Scientific Name

Dasheen mosaic potyvirus (the abbreviation is DsMV). A severe form of the disease is reported from French Polynesia.

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