EFFECTIVE CONTROL MEASURES

ON

TOMATO
LEAF CURL VIRUS

SOURCE
KAYBEEBIO.COM
When farmers plan to transplant tomato crops in his land and If we ask them about
the most common pest or disease, the immediate response is often ”virus disease
outbreak caused by whiteflies.” This highlights the severe impact of viral infections,
primarily Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) or Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (TLCV),
transmitted by whiteflies. The virus spreads when whiteflies feed on infected plants
and transfer it to healthy crops, leading to stunted growth, curled leaves, and reduced
yields. Since viral diseases have no cure, prevention is the only solution. Farmers
must adopt integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, including using whitefly-
resistant varieties, installing yellow sticky traps, practicing crop rotation, removing
infected plants, and applying neem-based or selective insecticides. Proper nursery
management with insect-proof netting and weed control can further minimize
whitefly breeding. Avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilizers and ensuring balanced
nutrition also help reduce plant stress and pest attraction. Timely monitoring and
preventive actions can effectively protect tomato crops from severe economic losses.

Symptoms of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) and Tomato Leaf Curl Virus
(TLCV):

1) Leaf Curling and Vein Thickening:

The most noticeable symptom is leaf curling, where the edges of young leaves turn
upwards and become deformed. The veins of the leaves become abnormally
thickened, giving them a rough texture. The leaf margins appear yellow, reducing the
plant’s ability to photosynthesize effectively.

2) Stunted Growth of Plants:

Infected tomato plants exhibit poor growth and reduced height compared to healthy
plants. The virus disrupts normal cell division, preventing plants from reaching their
full potential. As a result, the overall canopy remains smaller and weaker, making the
plants more vulnerable to environmental stress.

3) Reduced Flowering and Low Fruiting:

The virus affects flower formation, leading to a significant reduction in the number of
flowers per plant. Even if flowering occurs, fruit setting is greatly reduced, leading to
fewer tomatoes. The remaining fruits may be smaller, misshapen, or of lower quality,
reducing market value.
4) Complete Cessation of Fruit Production in Severe Cases:
In the advanced stages of infection, plants stop producing flowers and fruits
altogether which affects on yield. The energy of the plant is diverted towards fighting
the viral infection, leaving no resources for fruit development. In such cases, the
infected plants become economically unviable and must be removed to prevent
disease spread.

5) Yellow and Green Spots on Leaves:

As the disease progresses, infected leaves may develop mosaic-like yellow and green
patches. These discolorations are due to the virus interfering with chlorophyll
production, which weakens the plant further. The affected leaves eventually become
brittle, curl inward, and drop prematurely, exposing the plant to additional stress.
6) Faster Spread Due to Crop Residue and Whitefly Infestation:
The virus spreads quickly when infected crop residues (plant debris, sticks, and leaves
from the previous season) are left in the field. Whiteflies feed on these infected
residues and transfer the virus to new crops. Poor field sanitation and lack of proper
crop rotation contribute to the recurrence of the disease, making management more
challenging.

Effective Control of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV):

1) Whitefly Control:
Whiteflies are the primary vectors of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus. Their nymphs and
adult stages feed on tomato leaves, sucking out essential nutrients and transmitting
the virus. High infestations lead to leaf curling, yellowing, and reduced plant vigor. To
control whiteflies effectively,
Use Yellow Sticky Traps – These attract and capture adult whiteflies, reducing their
population.
Apply Neem-Based Biopesticides – Neem oil and azadirachtin-based sprays help
deter whiteflies naturally like Kay Bee Bio’s Organeem we can spray for whitefly
control.
Encourage Natural Predators – Beneficial insects like Encarsia formosa (a parasitic
wasp) and ladybugs help keep whitefly populations in check.
2) Selection of Resistant Varieties:
Choosing virus-resistant tomato varieties is the best long-term strategy to prevent
TYLCV outbreaks. Resistant varieties have built-in defense mechanisms that reduce
infection rates and minimize crop losses. Some highly resistant varieties include,
Shanti, Security, Tigres, Imber etc. By planting these resistant varieties, farmers can
significantly reduce disease incidence and improve overall crop productivity.

3) Crop Management and Improved Planting Techniques:

Proper crop management and scientific planting techniques can help prevent the
entry and spread of TYLCV.
Pre-Planting Soil Preparation: Deep plowing before planting helps destroy pest
eggs and infected crop residues.
Remove Previous Crop Debris: Leftover plant materials can harbor whiteflies and
viruses, increasing the risk of infection.
Use Raised Beds and Proper Spacing: Ensuring adequate plant spacing improves
air circulation and reduces pest buildup.

4) Crop Rotation:
Continuous cultivation of tomatoes or other crops from the Solanaceae family such as
peppers, potatoes, and eggplants increases the risk of TYLCV. To break the disease
cycle we should do,
Crop Rotation: Grow non-host crops like legumes, cereals, or cruciferous
vegetables in between tomato planting seasons.
Avoid Back-to-Back Tomato Planting: This prevents soil-borne pathogens and
whitefly infestations from multiplying.
Plant Trap Crops: Some farmers use marigolds or maize around tomato fields to
divert whiteflies away from the main crop.

5) Use of Mulching:
Mulching is an effective technique to reduce whitefly infestation and conserve soil
moisture. Silver or aluminum-coated plastic mulch has been found to repel whiteflies
by reflecting light and disrupting their movement. Benefits of mulching include:
Lower Whitefly Population: The reflective surface discourages whiteflies from
landing on plants.
Weed Control: Mulch suppresses weed growth, which can otherwise serve as a
host for whiteflies and viruses.
Moisture Retention: Helps maintain proper soil moisture levels, reducing plant
stress.
6) Use of Pheromone Traps:
Pheromone traps are an eco-friendly method to monitor and reduce pest populations
before they become severe. Installing plastic nets and pheromone traps around the
tomato field:
1. Attracts and Traps Whiteflies: Reducing their numbers before they can spread the
virus.
2. Minimizes Chemical Usage: Natural pest control reduces the dependency on
insecticides.
3. Protects the Crop from Early Stage Infection: Whitefly control at an early stage
prevents virus outbreaks.

7) Removing and Destroying Infected Plants:

If TYLCV symptoms appear, immediate action is required to prevent its spread to
healthy plants.
Early Identification: Regular field monitoring helps detect infected plants early.
Rogueing: Removing and isolating infected plants prevents the disease from
spreading further.
Burning Infected Plants: Destroying infected plants ensures that whiteflies do not
transfer the virus to new crops.
By following these practices, farmers can effectively control TYLCV, minimize whitefly
infestation, and safeguard their tomato yield from severe economic losses.

Bio-organic Spraying Measures for Controlling Yellow Leaf Curl Virus and
Whitefly Infestation in Tomato Crops:

To effectively manage the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) and whitefly
infestation in tomato crops, biological spraying measures using Kay Bee Bio’s
products can provide a sustainable and eco-friendly solution. These sprays help
strengthen plant immunity against viral infections and control whiteflies without
harming beneficial insects.

For yellow leaf curl virus infestation on tomato crops need to take Kayee Bee Bio’s
Viro Raze (bio viricide) product with 2 ml and Nova Zyme (seaweed fertilizer) 1 ml per
liter of water and spray it on tomato crops.
Also, to control the infestation of white fly, we need to take a spray of Kay Bee Bio’s
Pesto raze 2 ml per liter and sprayed.
Viro Raze Benefits:
Viro Raze has contact and systemic modes of action for virus control.
Ability to spread and penetrate fast and cover most of the leaf and crop.
Viro raze haveing unique ability to control the virus vectors like sucking pests to
stop the spread of virus form infested to healthy crop.
Viro Raze product equally lethal in action on crop after application or spray.
Dose: Viro raze 2 ml per liter of water

Nova Zyme Benefits:

Boost the maximum flowering and prevent flower and fruit dropping.
Maintain the ratio of female and male flower.
Increase in fruit weight, size, color, and luster.
It increases the shelf life of flowers and fruits.
To improve crop productivity and help to achieve bumper yield.
Helps the crop to develop resistance against abiotic and biotic stress.
Dose: 2ml per liter of water

Pesto Raze Benefits:

Pesto Raze shows very high mortality against sucking pests like aphids, jassids,
white fly, thrips, and red mites.
Pesto raze creates a lethal down effect leading to instant killing.
Pesto raze penetrates the soft body surface of the insects which affects on
nervous system of insect which causes rapid muscle contraction, convulsion,
paralysis and eventually death.
Dose: Pesto Raze 2 ml per liter of water.

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) poses a significant threat to tomato crops,
leading to symptoms such as leaf curling, yellowing, and stunted growth, which can
result in substantial yield losses. The virus is primarily transmitted by the silverleaf
whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Effective management strategies include controlling whitefly
populations through insecticides, selecting resistant tomato varieties, and
implementing reflective mulches to deter whiteflies. Additionally, products like Kay
Bee Bio’s Pesto raze , Nova Zyme and Viro Raze products effective against a broad
range of plant viruses, can be utilized as part of an integrated pest management
approach. Regular monitoring and timely interventions are essential to mitigate the
impact of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus on tomato production.