Valerian & Aster Yellows Disease

How does aster yellows disease affect valerian root? Should normal valerian root have a number of large spider leg type roots with a thick matt of fibrous roots attached to it? Your expertise is appreciated in this matter. The plants themselves look very green and healthy but I have heard that valerian root is supposed to be shaped like a carrot. I have not been able to find any information on this subject.

We have not heard of an asters yellow problem in valerian. The diseases that are known to attack valerian are: Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum), leafspot (Ramularia valerianae, R. centranthi and Septoria valerianae) red leaf gall (Synchytrium aureum), stem gall (Phoma exigua), root rot (Rhizoctonia solani), stem rot (Sclerotinia rolfsii), and rust (Puccinia commutata, P dioicae, P. valerianae, and Uromyces valerianae). Not all of the above are necessarily causal – some may be opportunistic diseases that attack plants already weakened because of other stresses.
Valerian does not produce the rhizome typical of the drug until the second autumn.