Question
QUESTION: What is the best way to rid my growing area of this virus?  I have a screened in grow room, outside, 20x20, that got infected with a tomato pony pack.  I had them growing in a raised bed of imported dirt.  That dirt became infected, so it was all removed, and all of the area then sprayed with Chlorox, then sprinkled with powdered pool shock, and sprinkled several times.  Both the Chlorox and the pool shock treatments were done several times.

I started tomato seeds inside, in a little grow room, and then used new soil from bags to increase their growing area.  When they were about a foot or so high, they were moved outside, into the straw bales.  I dug holes in the rotted bales, added sterile soil, and planted them...about 15 or so.

They got the virus anyway!!!

I've read that an ozone maker will fill a grow room with ozone, and if sealed up and left for several hours, will kill any critter or virus, or bacteria in there.  And that will work for my little starter grow room.

But next year, what do I do to sterilize everything, and start from scratch with seeds?

Second question:  So that I do not spread anything between rooms, can I put contaminated clothing in the freezer at 0 degrees, and for how long, to kill this virus?  I've found nothing on line, so truly I am stuck.

Thank you in advance for your help.

ANSWER: Ellen:

I am assuming that you have had an accurate diagnosis preformed in a lab.  Symptoms vary considerably- by host plant, age, and many other factors, so an accurate diagnosis is important for disease management. Diagnosis by symptoms alone is highly inaccurate.

A few important points to consider:
(1) TMV is transmitted to plants by mechanical wounds, contaminated tools and occasionally by workers hands who smoke cigaretts. Merely the rubbing of leaves with infected leaves is enough to do it. A single injured plant cell can provide entry/infection. Seeds can also become contaminated and give rise to an infected plant.
(2) Symptoms a very variable. Not very diagnostic when used alone.
(3) Infected plants cannot be cured.
(4) The virus is extraordinarily stable. In a lab environment, the purified virus can remain infectious for up to 50 yrs at 4 degrees C.
(5) In the greenhouse, the virus can survive in infected plant material/debris,equipment, and possibly in the soil.
(6) Host plants include tomato, tobacco, and other solanaceous plants.

Management Methods/Tips
(1) Wash hands/equipment in soap and water or 10% household bleach.
(2) Remove all plant debris (leaves and old plants) from previous crop- even dry plant material- (it can be blown around like dust).
(3)Do not allow watering hose/can to contact plants (this creates a wound).
(4) Dig up,bag discard infected plants. Replace contaminated soil.
(5) As with other virus diseases, grow resistant varieties.  This is the best method for disease management.
(6) Start with certified seed from reputable dealer. Do not replant seed from previous crop.

Hope these points help you. Virus diseases are complex. Correct diagnosis is the FIRST step in management and growing resistant varieties can help a lot too!

Regards
Steve


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, indeed the "culprit"  was and is TMV.  No questions about it.  

I have always done what you have listed here.

My main concern now is to get rid of the virus in the starter room, and in the garden.  Everything WAS sprayed with Chlorox, everthing was either thrown out or sterilized as you suggested.  tools were either tossed, or soaked in 50% Cholorox for days at a time.  It came back any way this year.

Ever hear of that ozone machine?

The only tomato variety somewhat resistant is Celebrity, and it is the one that had the rotten fruit on it.  Have yet to get a ripened fruit from those  (The others planted are Better Boy, Early Girl and Martha Stewert Sweetie.  All from certified envelopes, none handled here by anyone who smoked...we don't smoke.

So we have already done what you have suggested, and it came back anyway.

Is it simply not possible to get rid of it once it has been anywhere in the area?  No matter what I do?

Answer
Ellen:
Sounds as if you have been quite diligent in you methods to manage TMV. It is not easy.  I am not familiar with the "ozone machine". If your ozone machine involves using the gas for controlling the virus, I would be very skeptical. Sounds like a snake oil. I would need some cold hard unbiased data to buy into this.

At this point, I would suggest contacting your local county Agricultural Extension office to arrange for a "house call". A trained individual should be able to visit your growing area to assess the situation and may provide some advise.  This person may pickup on something that we may have overlooked.  The office is usually in the county courthouse of each county.  You may also wish to call the Plant Pathology office at Arizona State to ask for resources to assist.

If all else fails, you may wish to consider changing to another crop that is not susceptible or relocating your growing area.  I would first seek the aid of the Extension office.

Regards
Steve