Is this mosaic virus?

[Mumbles]

It won't let me upload a photo but one of my raspberry canes has yellow veins on the top leaves. I'll try again with the photo later but if it is mosaic virus what do I do?
Thanks


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[FB.]

Sometimes a plant grows so fast that the newest leaves can't get enough nutrients - especially in poor soil, or excessively acid/alkaline soil or where a plant has been growing for a long time.

Many of my fruit plants show some paleness or chlorisis of their youngest leaves because my soil is so infertile, but they get over it as the season progresses as they eventually manage to find enough nutrients.

If it is a virus, there is no cure and it will be spread by sucking insects/aphids and underground nematodes to other raspberry plants nearby. The only 'cure' for a virus-infected raspberry is to promptly dig out and burn the infected plant and hope that it hasn't spread to other canes nearby. Don't compost diseased plants if the composted material will go back on or near plants which can suffer from similar problems.

[Mumbles]

ok thanks

do I chop the cane down to the ground or dig it up? Its very close to the other canes so should I dig them all up?

here's the picture

[FB.]

ok thanks

do I chop the cane down to the ground or dig it up? Its very close to the other canes so should I dig them all up?

If you cut it down to the ground it will come back again from the roots - which might also be infected. Plants need to be dug out and any pieces of root that remain in the soil will sprout again.

But for now I think that's a bit drastic. Virus infection is only a problem if it reduces the vigour and yield. If your plants are vigorous and cropping well (assuming you prune them correctly) then I would not panic. You can easily replace a patch of raspberries for just a few pounds.

The yellow areas look a bit tatty - as if some bug has chewed at the leaves. At the moment I don't think you can be certain that it's a virus. Keep an eye on it and see how the leaves look when they're fully open.