New yellowing disease of melon caused by cucurbit aphid-borne yellows luteovirus
A new yellowing disease of melon, cucumber and courgette has been observed since 1988 in France and can cause significant yield losses. Symptoms are characterized by yellowing and thickening of the older leaves. The causal agent is a luteovirus, called cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), transmitted (persistent manner) by Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii. By using DAS-ELISA, the virus was frequently detected in samples of melon, courgette or cucumber from different regions of France, suggesting a widespread distribution of the virus. In addition, this virus was also frequently found in naturally infected cucurbits originating from Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Italy, Greece, Morocco, Spain and Turkey. Breeding programmes are being implemented to obtain resistant plants in most species affected by the disease.
Sources
Lecoq, H.; Gilbert-Albertini, F.; Wipf-Scheibel, C.; Pitrat, M.; Bourdin, D. Belkhala, H.; Katis, N.; Yilmaz, M. (1994) Occurrence of a new yellowing disease of cucurbits in the Mediterranean basin caused by a luteovirus, cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus and prospects for control.
Paper presented at the 9th Congress of the Mediterranean Phytopathological Union.