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Passion fruit woodiness disease is caused by a virus called potyvirus. The virus is transmitted by at least 2 species of aphids; Myzus persicae (light green) and Aphis gossypii (black) as well as by pruning tools
Plant certified disease-free seedlings
Avoid intercropping passion fruit with tomatoes, cucurbits and cowpeas as these are hosts of the virus.
Avoid weeds as these can be alternative hosts to the aphids
Control aphids at all crop stages as they transmit the virus
Monitoring
Passion fruit commonly become infected and show symptoms six months from planting 7, monitor every 14 days for aphids to avoid transmission to uninfected plants
Virus symptoms on leaves: Yellow light green mosaic appearance and mottling with dark green areas on raised spots
Misshapen and/or small fruits as well as leaves
Lack of growth of terminal shoot leading to bunchiness with harsh terminal leaves
Look out for aphids undersides of leaves because these spread the disease through feeding. Aphids are tiny(1/4inch) light green, grey and may have waxy or woolly coating.
Leaves are sometimes covered with honey dew and sooty moulds causing the leaves and branches to appear black
On fruit: distortion, abnormal thickening, hardening of rinds caused by virus
Initiate control measures for aphids on noting 1 to 4 colonies of aphids per 10 plants or 10% infection of field, but only in case the virus is present in the area
When there are no virus symptoms known from the neighbourhood, then aphids do not need to be controlled.
When the virus is in the plants, and plants show virus symptoms, action is too late
Direct Control
Control aphids as these transfer the disease while feeding. Spray soapy water underside leaves, in morning or evening when sun is not hot (mix 2L water and 1 tsp liquid soap) and apply for 2-3 days for every 2 weeks until lower than threshold
Sterilise the pruning tools before and after use in a 1:5 ratio bleach or over a fire to not spread the disease
Plants showing typical virus symptoms should be uprooted and burnt to prevent further spread.
Direct Control
Restrictions
No chemical control is effective for this virus disease
Only the virus-vectoring aphids may be controlled if threshold is reached and the virus known from the area
When using a pesticide or botanical, always wear protective clothing and follow the instructions on the product label, such as dosage, timing of application, pre-harvest interval, max number of sprays, restricted re-entry interval.
Always consult recent list of registered pesticides with MAAIF,Uganda
Spray Lambda cyhalothrin, Pyrethroid with contact and stomach action, Usually at 1ml/L water but check label.
14 days interval
WHO toxicity class II (moderately acute hazardous to humans). Re-entry Interval REI 12 hours; Pre-harvest interval PHI:7 days
Harmful to bees and pollinators, so do not spray during flowering. Max 2 sprays /season
Imidacloprid. A neonicotinoid, with systemic activity. Check label for dosage
WHO II (moderately hazardous to humans). PHI: 14 days, REI: 24 hours. Toxic to bees and other pollinators10, so spray after sunset, crop not flowering. Moderately toxic to soil and water organisms, so do not use near waterways10
AUTHOR(S): Nagaba Clesentia Barbra: Kassanda District Local Government phone no. +256782166241 email:barbraugcitizen@gmail.com
