Pea Pods - abnormal growths - Ask Extension
Is this pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV)?
If so, is it safe to plant any other crops in this area? (Tomatoes, basil, spinach, dahlias, zinnias, sun...
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Pea Pods - abnormal growths #837592
Asked June 26, 2023, 12:27 PM EDT
Is this pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV)?
If so, is it safe to plant any other crops in this area? (Tomatoes, basil, spinach, dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers). Specifically, is it safe for dahlias?
How long before it is safe for peas again?
I don’t use pesticides and have had a very high aphid infestation this year with no lady bugs showing up to eat them.
Other than this they have been very robust and healthy until the appearance of downy mildew after the most recent rains.
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi-
Aphid feeding can transmit several viruses to peas. It's possible that some of the white mottling is caused by a virus. We would also expect to see leaf, shoot, and pod distortion. It's also possible that some of the white flecking was caused by aphid, thrips, or leafhopper feeding. Aphid populations have been noticeably higher this spring.
PEV can cause blistering on pods. The interesting pod symptom in your photo is more consistent with intumescence or neoplasm growths:
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/5059e/
We don't think that the plants you listed would be endangered even if your peas are infected with a virus. Most of the pea/bean viruses are specific to that family (it's definitely not cucumber mosaic which has a wide host range).
Jon
Aphid feeding can transmit several viruses to peas. It's possible that some of the white mottling is caused by a virus. We would also expect to see leaf, shoot, and pod distortion. It's also possible that some of the white flecking was caused by aphid, thrips, or leafhopper feeding. Aphid populations have been noticeably higher this spring.
PEV can cause blistering on pods. The interesting pod symptom in your photo is more consistent with intumescence or neoplasm growths:
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/5059e/
We don't think that the plants you listed would be endangered even if your peas are infected with a virus. Most of the pea/bean viruses are specific to that family (it's definitely not cucumber mosaic which has a wide host range).
Jon
