First report of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and Cucumber vein yellowing virus in Tunisia
In Tunisia, surveys were carried out on virus diseases of cucurbits from June to October 2005 and in August 2006. 118 samples of symptomatic cucurbit plants: Cucumis melo var. flexuosus (snake cucumber), Cucurbita pepo (zucchini), Cucurbita moschata (squash) and Cucurbita melo (melon) were collected from the main cucurbit-growing regions: Bizerte and Cap Bon (Northern Tunisia), Monastir (Sahel region) and Degache (Southern Tunisia). Results showed that in addition to mosaic-inducing viruses, viruses inducing cucurbit yellows were also detected: Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (Polerovirus), Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (Crinivirus, CYSDV – EPPO A2 List) and Cucumber vein yellowing virus (Ipomovirus, CVYV – EPPO A2 List) were detected. CYSDV and CVYV were found only in the Sahel and Southern part of the country, and both of them are reported for the first time from Tunisia.
The situation of both Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and Cucumber vein yellowing virus in Tunisia can be described as follows: Present, first detected in 2005/2006 in the Sahel and Southern part of Tunisia.
Sources
Yakoubi S, Desbiez C, Fakhfakh H, Wipf-Scheibel C, Marrakchi M, Lecoq H(2007) Occurrence of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and Cucumber vein yellowing virus in Tunisia. Journal of Plant Pathology 89(3), 417-420.