Bean common mosaic virus
A seed-borne and aphid-spread virus that mottles and puckers bean leaves, stunts plants and reduces pod yield.
Also known as: BCMV, Bean mosaic
Symptoms and identification
Leaves show light and dark green mottling, are puckered, curled downward or narrow, and plants are stunted. Pods are fewer, small or distorted. Plants grown from infected seed show symptoms from the first leaves.
Causes
The virus is carried in seed and spread by aphids probing leaves and by handling infected plants. It lives in a wide range of legumes.
Organic treatment
There is no cure. Remove and bin infected plants straight away, and do not compost them.
Prevention
Use certified virus-free seed and resistant varieties, control aphids and weeds, and wash hands and tools after handling infected plants. Do not save seed from affected plants.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
No chemical cures a virus, and insecticides rarely prevent spread because aphids transmit it so quickly.