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Info. Submitted by Mary McKellar, NEPDN Prepared January 2008. Hosta Virus X Why is this a problem?. First identified in 1996, this relatively new disease has become more prevalent in the nursery trade. Hosta Virus X can infect many Hosta cultivars and can lead to complete plant death.
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Info • Submitted by Mary McKellar, NEPDN • Prepared January 2008
Hosta Virus XWhy is this a problem? • First identified in 1996, this relatively new disease has become more prevalent in the nursery trade. • Hosta Virus X can infect many Hosta cultivars and can lead to complete plant death. • Although prevalent in the U.S., it is not found in all states.
Hosta Virus X What does it look like? • Susceptible cultivars: • Mottling • Leaf distortion • Leaf dessication • Poor vigor • Tolerant cultivars: • May be asymptomatic but still infected
Hosta Virus XDisease Transmission • Mechanical transmission via infected sap • Spread by person • Spread by pruning tools • Spread by propagation • No evidence HVX is spread by insects
Hosta Virus XDisease Control • Proper sanitation: • Clean cutting tools and hands between pruning • Take care when mowing around hostas • There is no chemical control. Destruction of infected plant material is necessary to contain the disease. • Hostas can be replanted in the same location, the virus does not persist in soil.
Web Links for Further Information Hosta Virus X - Introduced Pest Outreach Project http://www.massnrc.org/pests/linkeddocument s/pestalerts/HostaVirusX_Februar _2006.htm Virus Problem Plagues Hosta http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007feb/071502 htm Hosta Virus X Informational Web Site - Kansas State University http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/path- ext/factSheets/Ornamentals/HostaVirus.asp Hosta Virus X – Hostalibrary.org http://www.hostalibrary.org/firstlook/HVX.htm