Pacific Northwest 1998 An Online Guide to Plant Disease Control

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OSU Extension Office
 
Hosta -- Viruses
See Also: Greenhouse Plants, Ornamental -- Impatiens Necrotic Spot
 
Cause: Both Hosta virus X (HVX) and Tomato spotted wilt virus have been found by the OSU Plant Disease Clinic. HVX is transmitted by physical or mechanical means where wounded, infected plants are touched followed by touching and wounding healthy plants. Lawnmower injury was given as an example in the original description. It can also be transmitted by vegetative propagation. The host range is limited primarily to Hosta sp. Although several cultivars are susceptible there are also several that become infected but show no symptoms. These later cultivars can still spread the virus.
Symptoms: TSWV – Ringspots were observed.

HVX – Leaf mottle and line patterns were observed in the OSU Plant Clinic. Mosaic, mottling, chlorotic spotting, interveinal chlorosis between secondary veins and leaf desiccation have also been found in other regions of the country.

Hosta Virus X with symptoms of leaf puckering and mosaic.

Hosta Virus X mosaic symptoms.
 
Cultural control:
  1. Minimize mechanic contact between cultivars when tending plantings.
  2. Remove any infected plants that show symptoms or that test positive for the virus.
  3. Replant with certified virus-tested (and found to be free of all known viruses) plants.
References:
Currier, S. and Lockhart, B. E. L. 1996. Characterization of a potexvirus infecting Hosta spp. Plant Disease 80:1040-1043.
Content edited by: Jay W. Pscheidt on January 1, 2009
 
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