Plant Diseases
Wheat Diseases in Arkansas
Wheat Streak Mosaic
Wheat streak mosaic virus is transmitted by the leaf curl mite. Symptoms
generally appear in the spring and become more severe as the season progresses.
Infected plants usually are stunted with discontinuous yellow streaks in the
leaves. Leaves may be rolled up (pencil-shaped) due to the feeding of the mites.
Microscopic, light green, cigar-shaped leaf curl miles usually can be found on
leaves of infected plants.
Wheat streak mosaic has been found only in isolated instances in
northeast Arkansas. The disease generally is associated with the presence of
volunteer wheat between harvest in June and emergence of the next crop in
the fall. Volunteer wheat is an ideal host for both mite and virus.
Destroying volunteer wheat two weeks before planting should be sufficient to
control wheat streak mosaic.
Back to Wheat Disease Management |
