HI
Papaya ring spot virus (PRSV)
PRSV induces vein - banding mottling and yellowing spot or distortion of leafs, water soaking streaks on and petioles, and ring spots appear on fruits or even on leaves. It stunts the plants and drastically reduces the size of fruits, sugar content, and taste. Some infected plants will bear fruit or production would decline. It spreads very fast and has become the limiting factor in papaya production in many areas of the world.
PLDMV induces characteristics rosettes of leaves with slender stems on the crown top. The fruit has the same markings as PRSV, but there are bumpy swellings around the ring spots.
Both viruses are transmitted by sap (via mechanical means) or aphids. No evidence has been found that they are seed transmitted.
Control:
1. Select to grow the tolerant varieties such as Known You No. 1 and Red Lady.
2. Grow the seedlings and trees under the net house or screen house.
3. Transplant at a time when there are relatively few winged aphids around and protect the seedling with transplant cylindrical plastic film and supports.
4. Inter- crop papaya with barrier crop such as corn, but never host crops such as cucurbit.
(May sow the corn seed one month after transplanting)
5. Mulch silver and black plastic film to deter winged aphids from visiting young seedling.
6. Immediately eradicate and bury the whole infected plant once found
7. Do not touch the healthy plants if hand or foot is contaminated with infected plant
8. Control the aphids
9. Practice cross protection with specific mild strain, but it often breaks down after a few months, losing its effectiveness.
10. Papaya tree may be treated as an annual crop and requires replanting every year in order to cut down on virus infection in the area where virus occurs seriously.
REgards
Ashwini