Papaya Ringspot (Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV))

• Potex virus
• Single stranded RNA virus
• Vector: Myzus persicae

Symptoms

• Observed on – fruits, foliage and main stem
• Initial symptoms – chlorosis in the young leaves followed by vein clearing and mottling of leaf laminae
• Interveinal puckering or bulging of leaf tissue – upper surface of the leaves
• Affected leaves- roll upward along the margins and are lighter green than healthy leaves
• Malformation and reduction - laminae
• Dark green streaks on petioles
• On main stem develops dark green spots
• Severe infection – spots coalesce forming streaks
• Infected plants – stunted
• Petioles – shortened
• On fruits – yellow spots and yellow rings with solid green centres
• Spots are formed on the sunny side and never coalesce to form distorted rings
• Blistering and deformity of the fruits observed
• fruit set is reduced and aroma is affected

Transmission

• Through sap
• By cuscuta
• Insect transmission: aphid in non persistent manner
• Seed transmission

Management

• Use of yellow sticky strap to control of aphid vector.
• Use of resistant varieties.
• Early detection of infected plants and prompt removal can check the spread of the disease.
• Rogue out infected plants of papaya as early as possible to avoid further infection within the field.
• Avoid taking mixed crop of tobacco, chilli, Zinnea, tomato and gooseberry in papaya field or nearby.

Chemical Control

Extremely Toxic

Highly Toxic

Moderately Toxic

Slightly Toxic