Viral Diseases
Yellow dwarf, caused by aphid-transmitted viruses collectively called barley yellow dwarf and cereal yellow dwarf viruses, affects all cereals in New York and can be a serious problem.
Wheat spindle streak mosaic, caused by a virus that is transmitted by a soilborne fungus, occurs widely on wheat and causes significant losses in growing seasons having prolonged cool periods in April and May. Wheat cultivars with resistance should be grown in New York. Wheat soilborne mosaic, caused by a virus that is also transmitted by a soilborne protozoan, occurs only in certain areas of the southern Finger Lakes Region and causes significant yield loss in susceptible varieties. Wheat cultivars are available with resistance to both of these soilborne viruses.