List of Diseases in Plants Caused by Viruses

Some of the same types of viruses that infect humans can also infect plants. Plants and humans do not transmit viruses to each other, but humans can spread plant viruses through physical contact. Most frequently, plants catch a cold when an insect or other small animal invades the cellulose armor that protects them from the environment. Viruses also spread through infected seeds, grafting, wind, splashing, pollination and dripping sap. Unlike humans, plants never recover from a virus.

The first plant virus discovered, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), attacks members of the nightshade, or solanaceae, family. These include tobacco, pepper, potato, tomato, eggplant, cucumber and petunia. The virus spreads through entry into breaks of cell walls caused by insects or other physical damage. It has another claim to fame as the first virus imaged with an electron microscope.

Cucumber mosaic virus infects cucumber, tomato, peppers, melons, squash, spinach, celery, beet and other plants. Aphids spread it, and they cause physical damage to the plant, which allows entry of the virus via wind, splashing or dripping sap. The virus causes twisting in young leaves. That stunts growth of the entire plant and causes poor fruit or leaf production.

The barley yellow dwarf virus infects several grains and staple crops, including wheat. Aphids primarily spread the virus. The virus causes discoloration of leaves and the tips of the plants, which reduces photosynthesis, stunts growth and decreases production of seed grains.

The bud blight virus infects soybeans, a staple crop. It causes the stem to bend at the top and the buds to turn brown and drop off the plant. Nematodes spread this virus.

The sugarcane mosaic virus discolors leaves of the sugarcane plant, restricting its ability to feed itself through photosynthesis and grow. It stunts the growth of young plants. Aphids and infected seed spread the virus.

The cauliflower mosaic virus infects members of the brassica, or mustard, family, which includes cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli and rape seed. It causes a mosaic or mottle on the leaves, which stunts growth. Aphids and mechanical exposure spread the virus.

The lettuce mosaic virus mottles the leaves of almost all types of lettuce, stunting its growth and eliminating its market appeal. Aphids and infected seeds spread the virus.

The maise mosaic virus causes yellow spots and stripes on the leaves of corn, stunting its growth. Leafhoppers spread the virus.

The peanut stunt virus causes discoloration and distortion of the leaves of peanuts and some other rhizomes, stunting their growth. Aphids and sap spread the virus.