Apium Virus Y Disease

Mottled, stunted cilantro plants may have apium virus Y disease.

Apium virus Y disease is carried by aphids. This viral disease is also found on celery, carrot, dill, and poison hemlock. It can infect parsley, as well, but no visible symptoms occur.

​Apium virus Y disease symptoms

Leaf mottling or mosaic patterns, stunting, cleared veins, and leaf distortions are all symptoms of apium virus Y disease. Older leaves may have yellow blotches, brown lesions, and yellow or brown line patterns. Younger leaves show only faint mottling. Lesions may form on petioles (leaf stems).

How to prevent apium virus Y disease
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Since this disease is predominantly carried by aphids, you can help prevent this disease by controlling aphid populations (as much as is possible, of course). The virus can also be carried on clothing and tools, so be sure to sanitize your tools regularly and avoid walking through areas known to be infected. The virus does not remain vital for very long once it is inside an aphid. Creating physical barriers and increasing the distance between potential carriers can reduce the likelihood of this disease.

Crop rotation and the CAREFUL removal of poison hemlock can also help control this disease. There are no effective chemical treatments for apium virus Y disease.