Is tomato leaf curl virus contagious?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.The tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) is highly virulent and is transmitted through various routes, making it highly contagious. The silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) transmits ToLCV in minutes during feeding. Infected plants become continuous sources of ToLCV, infecting nearby tomato plants. Infected transplants and contaminated tools can also spread the virus very quickly.
Vector Transmission
- Whitefly feeding: Virus transfers in 15-30 minute feeding sessions
- Female efficiency: Females spread virus 3x faster than males
- Movement range: Infected insects travel up to 10 miles on wind
Human-Assisted Spread
- Tool contamination: Pruners transfer virus immediately without cleaning
- Transplant issues: Infected seedlings spread disease to new locations
- Clothing contact: Virus particles hitchhike on sleeves and gloves
Containment Protocols
- Tool sterilization: Clean with 70% alcohol between plants
- Quarantine protocol: Isolate new plants for 72 hours
- Perimeter control: Install sticky traps around garden borders
Whiteflies can remain infectious for up to ten days after feeding on infected hosts, and they spread most rapidly during warm temperatures, specifically between 77°F and 86°F. When storms roll through, the wind can carry them significant distances, and I've tracked outbreaks of one mile per day from whitefly migration.
Disrupt transmission chains by using integrated methods. Use kaolin clay sprays to form protective barriers on leaves. Introduce Encarsia wasps each week to feed on whitefly nymphs. Apply reflective mulch pre-transplant to deter 70% of insects. These create layered protection against spread.
Do continuous monitoring during risky intervals. Inspect plants daily for early symptoms during warmer months. Isolate any suspicious plants immediately. Keep track of whiteflies captured in sticky traps. Close monitoring and immediate response to potential outbreaks helped me reduce whitefly outbreaks by 80%.
Read the full article: Tomato Leaf Curl Virus: Complete Guide
