First record of Squash leaf curl virus in Jordan
Until recently the presence of Squash leaf curl virus (Begomovirus, SLCV - EPPO A1 List) was restricted to the Americas. However, this virus was discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2000 (EPPO RS 2001/118), Israel in 2003 (EPPO RS 2003/117), and Egypt in 2005 (EPPO RS 2007/057). In Jordan, growers in the Jordan valley started to observe virus-like symptoms on squash (Cucurbita pepo) crops in spring 2005. Affected plants showed severe mottling, yellowing, leaf curling and stunting. In addition, they were heavily infested by Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 List). Leaf samples were collected from symptomatic squash (C. pepo) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants, as well as from other cucurbits (i.e. Citrullus colocynthis, Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucurbita foetidissima and Cucurbita moschata). Laboratory studies (PCR, dot-blot hybridization, sequencing, whitefly transmission) confirmed the presence of SLCV in squash and cucumber plants at a high incidence in all surveyed areas in Jordan. SLCV was not detected in other cucurbit crops but could be found in the weed species, Malva parviflora. This is the first report of SLCV in Jordan.
The situation of Squash leaf curl virus in Jordan can be described as follows: Present, first detected in 2005, probably widespread.
Sources
Al-Musa A, Anfoka G, Misbeh S, Abhary M, Ahmad FH (2008) Detection and molecular characterization of Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) in Jordan. Journal of Phytopathology 156(5), 311-316.