Please click here to view a Markon Live from the Fields video about an increase in the presence of thrip insects and Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) in some lettuce and leaf fields from California’s Salinas Valley.

• Two significant heat spikes were recorded in mid- and late May
• The warm, dry conditions have been ideal for insects such as thrips to flourish
• Thrip insects commonly cause orange speckled blemishes on various lettuce crops
  • If infected with INSV, they will spread the disease to the plants they feed on
  • Infected plants will develop necrotic lesions throughout the leaves that will make the heads unmarketable
  • Fields that are severely impacted by INSV can see dramatic yield loss
• Currently, the presence of INSV is not widespread, but combined with other soil diseases such as sclerotinia and fusarium wilt, some growers’ yields are falling
• Markon inspectors are closely monitoring the situation and will update further as needed

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for further information.

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