how can I erradicate tobacco mosaic virus from a greenhouse?

Question

a friend has a greenhouse and cannot grow successfully, as every crop becomes stunted and wilted very early on in the grow cycle.

Answer 1

Virus diseases cannot be controlled once the plant is infected. Therefore, every effort should be made to prevent introduction of virus diseases into the garden. Many varieties of tomato are available with resistance to tomato mosaic virus. Sanitation is the primary means of controlling the other two virus diseases. Infected plants should be removed immediately to prevent spread of the pathogens. Perennial weeds, which may serve as alternate hosts, should be controlled in and adjacent to the garden. Avoid planting tomatoes next to cucurbits, spinach, or other vegetables and flowers susceptible to these diseases. Control of insects, especially aphids and thrips, will help reduce the likelihood of cucumber mosaic and spotted wilt.
The main thrust of the prevention has got to be sanitation. The greenhouse should be washjed down thouroughly inside and out with a strong disinfectant solution. Jeyes Fluid is reccomended. The soil in the beds should be sterilised (chemical sterilisers are availble at your local garden centre). The plants chosen should be grown from seed which has been given an anti-virus tratment. And probably most important of all anybody who smokes or uses any nicotine products whatsoever should wash their hands thoroughly before touching any plant or equipment in the greenhouse. Best of Luck!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Dear angel, TMV is a nucleo-protein. It is rod shaped. It contains single strand RNA. Dissemination : Usually,viruses enter the plant cells through the wounds either made mechanically or by vectors. In almost all cases, they reach phloem and then are transported within the parts of the plant. The sreading from one plant to another plant occur as follows: 1.through vegetative propagatoin, 2.through sap of the infected plants, 3.through seeds, 4.through pollen, 5.by insect vectors, 6.by mites, nematodes and fungi. Symptoms : 1.Chlorosis : The green tissues of the plant become pale due to thealteration in the normal development of chlorophyll. 2.Mosaic formation : The various degrees of chlorosis result in the formation of yellow and green spots on the leaf which give the appearance of the mosaic., The disease will affect the quality of the tobacco leaves which in turn will affect the yield.

Answer 4

Tackling virus diseases involves several steps.Destroy badlly infected plants. Buy virus-free seeds or plants.Spray to control sap-sucking insects. Wash hands and tools after handling infected plants.Do noy touch plants while or after smoking.
The main carriers are aphids,but there are other pests which take viruses from plant to plant,ie weevils,white fly beetles ect.
make sure you clean all tools and pots trays and do not forget your hands. Better to sterilize your complete greenhouse before starting this Spring.
GOOD LUCK FOR 2007.

Answer 5

Really your friend probably needs to actually just thorough away all plants and soil, and disinfect the greenhouse / leave it for a good few weeks, and start again. Good luck x