By DieterO – Own work (Original text: eigene Fotografie), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9393123

Mosaic virus is a fungal disease that affects dozens of plant varieties throughout the United States (vegetables, fruit, flowers and agricultural crops such as alpha, wheat, cotton and tobacco).  The virus is transmitted by many insects such as whiteflies, aphids, cucumber beetles and leaf hoppers and contact with other infected plants by hand-to-hand contact or reusing non-sterilized tools.

Tell-tale signs of the virus are stunted growth, streaked and unusual distorted leaves (hence the name mosaic) and reduced yield. There is currently no cure or treatment for mosaic virus and all infected plants should be disposed of immediately and properly (composting the diseased plants is not recommended). However, using proper sanitation methods (thoroughly cleaning tools after use, practicing crop rotation, consistent weeding and planting disease resistant seeds can greatly increase the probability of healthy and vigorous plant production.