Disease guide

Leaf Variegation (Chimera)

Causal Agent

Genetic mutation

Distribution

Worldwide

Symptoms

Leaf tissue is variegated resulting in tissues that have a normal green color being directly adjacent to tissues that are varying shades of yellow to white in color. Variegated tissue patterns may be mosaic or linear. The yellow to white tissue is deficient in chlorophyll and can result in abnormal or stunted plant growth when severe.

Foliar symptoms showing yellow leaf streaking. Foliar symptoms showing yellow leaf streaking.

Conditions for Development

This is a genetic abnormality and its expression and occurrence is unaffected by environmental conditions. This condition generally occurs on only a small percentage of the plants in a field

Control

Plant seed that is known to be free of genetic abnormalities.

This browser is no longer supported. Please switch to a supported browser: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari.