Yellow leaf curl virus? Anyone know about this?

I posted this on the vegetable gardening thread :
"My Tomatoes are not looking happy. They have been in the garden since the end of March. They started out fine and even started setting fruit but then we had a week of rain... After that week all of the top leaves started curling up and turning a yellowish color. The fruit that was already set is still growing but it isn't setting any new fruit. The fruit on the plants looks healthy though. It is flowering but they die and fall off. Though that may be because of the 90 degree heat. Which I know may also be why new fruit is not setting. But the plants look like they are shriveling up. The new leaves are all curled and do not flatten out at all. I thought it was from the rain splashing but have been treating with docanil for 3 weeks now with no change at all. I will try to attach pictures. Does anyone know what this is and is it something that can be treated?"
Someone mentioned it looks like yellow leaf curl virus. If it is, should I destroy my plants? Can they be treated? I've never run into this one before. Can someone please help???

What kind of fertilizer are you using?
Are you in a sandy soil?
The symptoms look similar to a nutrient deficiency, so if you are not already fertilizing the plants I would start there, and look into nematodes (especially on sandy soil).

However, it does look like that virus. Treating for the other possible issues won't help if it really is this virus.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783103311.html

I agree looks like the virus to me. Have any herbicides been used in close proximity? Lawn treatments or granules? or could the container you used to spray fungicide have any herbicide residue?

This message was edited May 11, 2014 9:01 PM

Yes, I have sandy soil. I do amend with "garden soil" and compost, quite a bit of compost. I use Dr Earth Vegetable / Tomato fertilizer, bone meal, and also use fish / kelp to foliar feed and water. I don't use herbicides at all on my property so I don't think it would be that. I don't think it is drift either because I have other plants in close proximity to my tomatoes that are unaffected. How would I know if it were nematodes? I kind of hope that's what it is. Those sound easier to deal with then the virus. I was just reading about the virus and it said the new leaf growth is "broccoli like". That discribes my plants to a tee. :-(
Everything says that this virus is spead via whiteflys. It's weird though because this is the first year, knock on wood, that whitefly haven't been a problem (hope it stays that way). When I inspect I will see maybe one or two here and there and no eggs or larva. I guess it would just take one though??
So do I need to destroy my plants? Is there any hope for these guys or should I attempt to start again and hope for the best? I do have a Sun Sugar Cherry Tomato that is still healthy. I didn't know if this is because the others are heirloom and are less disease resistant then the Sun Sugar? Anyway, can anyone help?

I have a similar problem, (I'll try to post photo), mine looks different, the leaves are not yellow, they are a healthy green color, but still a "Curly Top" type of problem.
We both live in very hot climates. I live in the Mohave Desert--Las Vegas, Nevada. We're experiencing a very early HOT & WINDY season. It's been in the 90's to the lower 100's for 2-3 weeks already!
Did this curling first begin right after hot weather and did the Tomatoes wilt at all? Mine are still in 6in pots and really wilted.

At first, I was convinced it was a virus, some sort of Curly Top. After MUCH research, I'm beginning to think that it's NOT a virus. Tomato plants react this way due to different kinds of stress.
After moving them into the shade on the patio during the hottest part of the day, and keeping them well watered, they made a come back. All but the very top leaves have flattened out.
Every time I let them get wilted they curl up again some, but recover when treated properly. I've GOT to get them transplanted into their 5-gal. pots SOON. I'm disabled, but I'm getting to it tonight and tomorrow morning--Promise!!
I'm afraid that with your yellowing leaves and upturned, (mine are downwards), curl, it might very well be a virus.
I've tried both the Aspirin and Copper sprays, although they are "preventative" measures, my plants seemed happier the next day.
I've also read that Bone Meal applied to the top of the soil and lightly dug into the top inch or so, then watered in can help. I'd look into Epsom Salt foliage spray, too. And make sure you control insects on your plants. A healthy plant can resist problems better.
Hope some of this helps. Good Luck.
ps. The first pic was when it 1st happened, the 2nd is after recovery, and the 3rd is the very worse one now, (Golden Jubilee). Arkansas Traveler and Florada do best in hot climates.

Do yawl think this is the same virus? It's not only on tomatoes, but also sunflowers & parsnips -- but not on all the plants -- even plants that are side by side, one may have it then it skips a few before another is affected.

Post the tomato pictures on the tomato forum. There's some sharp people over there that might be able to answer your problem.

That looks like Powdery Mildew to me.
Try a Anti- Mildew Shake:
1/4 cup milk, 4 drops of a natural dishsoap.
Put into a one quart spray bottle, Topped off with water. Spray lightly
every 2 weeks.
Discard leftover.