DiseaseViral disease
Yellow vein mosaic
A virus spread by whiteflies that turns leaf veins bright yellow, especially on okra.
Also known as: Okra yellow vein mosaic, Mosaic virus
Symptoms and identification
Leaf veins turn yellow, forming a net pattern that can spread over the whole leaf. Fruits are small, pale and tough. Plants infected early produce almost nothing.
Causes
Caused by a begomovirus transmitted by whiteflies. Hot, dry periods with high whitefly numbers lead to outbreaks.
Organic treatment
Remove infected plants promptly. Keep spraying neem oil on healthy plants to reduce whiteflies.
Prevention
Grow tolerant varieties, sow early before whitefly numbers rise, and control whiteflies with traps and neem sprays.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
There is no chemical cure for the virus; controlling the whitefly carrier is the only effective approach.