Symptom

• In CMV infected safflower plants young leaves show irregular yellow or light patches alternating with normal green areas.
• Leaves may become blistered and distorted and infected plants are stunted.
• In few plants primary leaves are produced, forming a rosette of leaves exhibiting mosaic mottling and from the centre of this, the axis bearing secondary leaves is produced.
• It is transmitted by aphids.

• The disease can be controlled by roguing and destruction of the infected plants.
• Remove and destroy the diseased plants.
• Do not delay irrigation until the crop exhibits moisture stress symptoms.
• Spraying of systemic insecticides, Dimethoate 2ml, for the control of aphid vectors.