First report of Watermelon chlorotic stunt begomovirus in Israel
The national plant protection organization of Israel (PPIS) informed the EPPO Secretariat of the discovery of the whitefly-transmitted Watermelon chlorotic stunt begomovirus (WmCSV – EPPO Alert List) in Israel. WmCSV symptoms were first observed in Autumn 2002 affecting one cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) plot in the south of the country. Following positive identification of this pathogen, which until now had been recorded from only Iran, Sudan, Yemen, and possibly Saudi Arabia and Greece, the affected 2 hectares were destroyed by order of PPIS. In 2003 the disease was again reported, this time from additional areas in the country on watermelon and melon (Cucumis melo). The status of this pest in Israel can be described as: Present, distribution under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Israel, 2003-12.