First finding of cucurbit yellow vine disease in Massachusetts (US)
In 1999, commercial fields of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) were severely damaged in Franklin county, Massachusetts (US) by a disease with symptoms resembling those of cucurbit yellow vine (EPPO Alert List). In these fields, the disease incidence reached 100 %. Affected plants showed foliar chlorosis and plant stunting. Cross sections of below-ground stems and primary roots usually showed honey-brown discoloration of phloem. Diseased plant samples were tested by PCR assays specific of the cucurbit yellow vine bacterium (which is closely related to Serratia marcescens) and gave positive results. In the affected fields, high infestations of squash bug (Anasa tristis, Heteroptera: Coreidae) were observed. This insect is currently considered as a putative vector of cucurbit yellow vine disease. In 2000, the disease was also observed in pumpkin fields in Franklin county. This is the first report of cucurbit yellow vine disease in Massachusetts. So far, the disease occurred only in Oklahoma and Texas.
Sources
Wick, R.L.; Lerner, J.; Pair, S.D.; Fletcher, J.; Melcher, U.; Mitchell, F.; Bruton, B.D. (2001) Detection of cucurbit yellow vine disease in squash and pumpkin in Massachusetts.
Plant Disease, 85(9), p 1031.