This particular virus is capable of infecting an unusually large number of plant species, including several that are important cultivated crops in south Georgia. The only known method of TSWV transmission is via certain species of thrips which have previously acquired the virus by feeding on infected plants. The factors leading to the rapid spread of this disease in south Georgia are very complicated, and no single treatment or cultural practice has been found to be a consistently effective control measure. However, research continues to identify factors that influence the severity of TSWV in individual peanut fields.
Many factors combine to influence the risk of losses to TSWV in a peanut crop.
Some factors are more important than others, but no single factor can be used as a reliable TSWV control measure. However, research data and on-farm observations indicate that when combinations of several factors are considered, an individual field's risk of losses due to TSWV can be estimated. There is no way to predict with total accuracy how much TSWV will occur in a given situation or how the disease will affect yield, but by identifying high risk situations growers can avoid those cultural practices that are conducive to major yield losses. The University of Georgia Tomato Spotted Wilt Index for Peanuts was developed as a tool for evaluation of risk associated with individual peanut production situations. Using preventative measures to reduce risk of TSWV losses is the only way to control this disease.