What to observe

• Unexplained loss of vigor or performance across clones or time
• Abnormal branching, leaf shape, rooting, or developmental behavior in some infected plants
• Patterns associated with shared propagation material
• Plants that look normal despite possible infection

Common look-alikes

• Nutrient or environmental stress
• Root disease
• Genetic or clonal variation
• Other viruses/viroids
• Chronic propagation stress

Evidence that improves confirmation

• Use a validated molecular diagnostic test such as an appropriate RT-PCR/RT-qPCR assay through a capable laboratory
• Sample according to the laboratory's guidance
• Do not use visual symptoms as a substitute for testing

Risk context

• Vegetative propagation can preserve and spread infected plant material
• Contaminated cutting tools or plant sap can create transmission risk
• Asymptomatic infected plants can make visual screening unreliable

Management principles

• Use tested propagation stock where practical
• Strengthen tool sanitation and plant-identity records
• Separate suspect material pending test results
• Follow applicable facility, laboratory, and crop-health protocols for confirmed infected stock

Keep the conclusion proportional to the evidence

Use a confirmed identification when available. When evidence is incomplete, label the conclusion as a suspicion or differential rather than presenting it as proven.

Pest encyclopedia →
Disease & viroid encyclopedia →