The virus is transmitted from plant to plant, which includes weeds primarily via sap sucking insects such as Aphids
and Cucumber Beetles.
Fortunately Cucumber Mosaic Virus is not passed down generation to generation as it canít be passed along via seeds and does not survive very long in plant debris or soil.
Symptoms of cucumber mosaic vary widely depending on the crop infected and the plants stage of development when the infection first occurs.
In cucumbers, as the plants mature the leaves become spotted, with pale and green pigmentation mottled together. They take on a sickly pale and wrinkled appearance.
The leaf edges wilt and curl slightly downward. Growth becomes stunted, the plant produces few blooms and even less fruit. Cucumbers that are produced post infection are bitter and frequently turn a pale white to mottled pale yellow.
Although we know the cause and symptoms of cucumber mosaic disease, there is no cure. Prevention is the best defense. Aphid control helps to forestall the spread of Cucumber Mosaic.
Insecticidal soap or Pyrethin based products are registered to manage cucumber beetles.
Any plants known to be or suspected of being infected should be immediately removed from the garden, and discarded or destroyed - don't leave them lying around and don't put them in the compost.
Weeds need to be controlled as well, they are also effected and insects will readily transmit the virus from weeds to crops.
The disease resistance code for vegetables can be found on the back of seed packets - CMV is the designation for Cucumber Mosaic Virus. Hybrid Bush Slicer, Babylon, Marketmore 76, Orient Express and Wautoma are a few varieties with resistance to CMV.