First report of watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 1 et du watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 2 in Greece
Watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 1 (Coguvirus citrulli, WCLaV-1 – EPPO Alert List) and watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 2 (Coguvirus henanense, WCLaV-2 – EPPO Alert List) are first reported from Greece.
In 2025, WCLaV-1 and WCLaV-2 were first detected by RNA-sequencing of watermelon plants (Citrullus lanatus) crops exhibiting mosaic, mottling, yellowing, curling and crinkling symptoms during a survey conducted across Northern, Central and Southern Greece.
To assess the prevalence of both viruses across Greece, 49 cucurbit samples taken during the survey in 2025 (eight from watermelon, 17 from courgette, Cucurbita pepo, 12 from cucumber, Cucumis sativus, and 12 from melon, Cucumis melo) were tested using RT-PCR. WCLaV-1 was detected in all eight watermelon samples from Chania (Crete), Euboea (Central Greece), Kavala (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace), Lakonia (Peloponnese) and Serres (Central Macedonia). WCLaV-2 was detected in six samples from Chania, Euboea, Kavala and Serres. No other cucurbit crop tested positive for the presence of either virus.
The situation of WCLaV-1 in Greece can be described as: Present, few occurrences.
The situation of WCLaV-2 in Greece can be described as: Present, few occurrences.
Sources
Beris D, Kektsidou O, Galeou A, Varveri C (2025) First report of watermelon crinkle leaf‐associated virus 1 and 2 infecting watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in Greece. New Disease Reports 53(1) e70097 https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.70097