The fungus forms dark clusters of resting spores in the wheat roots which are released to the soil when the roots decay. Since the fungus survives in the soil as resting spores, the disease is always associated with infested soil. Soils may remain infective for many years. Neither soilborne mosaic nor spindle streak mosaic are insect borne or seed borne. Therefore, the first task is to estimate the percentage of the field acreage which is affected.
Losses are roughly proportional to the length of time during which plants show obvious symptoms.
Late planting is sometimes effective in avoiding infection periods in the fall. Due to the longevity of the vector, crop rotation is not an effective control. There are no pesticides which provide economic control of soilborne mosaic. It is the policy of Kansas State University Agricultural Experiement Station and Cooperative Extension Service that all persons shall have euqal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and materials without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Kansas State University is an equal opportunity organization.