How To Stay Ahead of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a formidable plant foe for growers far and wide. TSWV has caused significant problems for some fresh-market tomato and pepper growers in New Jersey over the past few growing seasons. Although the virus itself is not uncommon, the economic losses seen in recent years have been extensive.

In a recently published Plant and Pest Advisory from Rutgers Cooperative Extension, researchers point out while TSWV does not appear to be currently widespread throughout the state, this may likely change.

So what can growers do now to prevent this malady from taking a bite out of their crops? Rutgers researchers suggest all vegetable growers, those who produce their own transplants or bring them in, need to carefully evaluate their western flower thrips monitoring and mitigation programs this winter and spring.

Here are some helpful suggestions for all tomato and pepper growers to follow for TSWV management.

1. Start fresh. Prior to the transplant production season, clean and disinfect the greenhouse or any other structure where you might be holding transplants. Remove any weeds within and around the structure. Use sticky cards to monitor the potential carryover thrips population during the winter months, especially if you have any plant material in the greenhouse during those months.
2. Never produce or keep tomato or pepper transplants you start yourself or bring in, in the same greenhouse with any ornamental plants.
3. Segregate any transplants that are brought into your operation from your own transplants, as well as segregate different source of transplants as best you can.
4. Evaluate all incoming transplants for thrips damage.
5. Treat all incoming transplants with an insecticide immediately.
6. Use yellow sticky cards to continually monitor for thrips populations in the greenhouse from the start of the transplant season until the end.
7. Consider using biological or natural control(s) in the greenhouse.
8. The use of silver reflective mulches have been shown to reduce thrips populations in fields.
9. Develop a season-long insecticide program prior to the production season; from applying an insecticide at transplanting through cover sprays until harvest.
10. Monitor thrips populations and feeding damage in the field with regular scouting and sticky cards.
11. Closely monitor thrips feeding injury on pepper and tomato fruit during the production season.
12. Proper weed control is essential since many weeds may harbor the virus or infected thrips. This includes areas around the production field.
13. Rogue out any suspicious looking plant(s) prior to transplanting, or any suspicious looking plant early in the production season (e.g., any plant that starts to stunt out early) to help mitigate the within field spread.

For more information, visit plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu.