Preventing viruses from getting into the crop is the most important means of control. Once a plant is infected, there is no cure. Until the vines grow over the plastic, super reflective mulch works very well to discourage the aphids that carry the virus from landing in the crop. Oil sprays, either alone or in combination with insecticides, can help. The oil reduces the aphid's ability to pick up the virus and to pass it on.
Insecticides used alone will prevent a build-up of aphids and can reduce the spread of virus in the crop. However, they will not prevent the initial infection because the plant is infected as soon as the aphid feeds on it. It may take 30 minutes for the aphid to die after spraying, during which time it could infect several plants.
