Kansas Department of Agriculture BMPs For Scouting TMV On Petunias

Scouting petunia for TMVThe Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is asking growers and retailers to follow regulatory action and recommendations in scouting petunias for symptoms of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

Here are the KDA’s recommended best management practices for growers in Kansas producing Red Fox petunias that were sourced from the Dümmen Group’s El Salvador farm and retailers who sell these varieties but sourced them from out-of-state growers, including Welby Gardens and Timbuk II rooting stations.

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  • Dispose of plant material and soil mix by bagging on site in the greenhouse and then transferring to a dumpster. Pots may be re-used if properly disinfected.
  • Other petunia cultivars in close proximity (6 feet) from the above named sources should be isolated, scouted over three weeks and suspects tested for TMV before mixing with other species of plants or moving to new greenhouses or locations, including rest and lunch breaks. Workers should not wear the same clothing on following days after working on petunias until clothing is washed with detergent and dried.
  • Scout other potential host crops regularly including impatiens, verbena, calibrachoa and other petunias on a timely basis. Symptoms include mosaic and vein clearing, leaf margin distortion and puckering, stunting and lack of growth.
  • Kill and dispose of all weeds in greenhouses since many are hosts for TMV. Do not compost material.

See “Scouting And Preventative Measures For Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) On Petunia” for information from the Dümmen Group on what symptoms to look for and how to scout for TMV, or visit Dümmen’s website for more information.

Plus, find out what KDA’s Plant Protection and Weed Control Program Manager Jeff Vogel had to say about this issue.

If you require assistance from KDA on this matter, call 785-862-2180 or eMail [email protected].

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