May 29, 2019
Cucumber Mosaic Virus
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most widely distributed and important virus of cucurbits. The virus is ubiquitous with a very wide host range. As a result the virus has lot of alternative hosts to overwinter. The virus is transmitted very efficiently by aphids. Symptoms can range from hardly noticeable to severe mosaic, mottling and stunting. A lot of times the virus also synergizes with other viruses worsening the symptomatology. CMV may be seedborne to a limited extent in some crops and weeds such as common chickweed (Stellaria media).
Diagnosis for CMV is easy with immunostrips (as shown in picture) where one band means negative and two bands means the virus is present in the tissue. However, the virus being systematic stays in the plant as long as the plants are alive. The general health of plants can be maintained with proper fertilization and irrigation to reduce the damage. There are also several resistant/tolerant cultivars of cucurbits available The best management is preventive spray against aphids.. It is important to understand that the aphids needs only few seconds to minutes to transmit the virus from infected plants to healthy plants.
Diagnosis for CMV is easy with immunostrips (as shown in picture) where one band means negative and two bands means the virus is present in the tissue. However, the virus being systematic stays in the plant as long as the plants are alive. The general health of plants can be maintained with proper fertilization and irrigation to reduce the damage. There are also several resistant/tolerant cultivars of cucurbits available The best management is preventive spray against aphids.. It is important to understand that the aphids needs only few seconds to minutes to transmit the virus from infected plants to healthy plants.
To contact Bindu Poudel go to: bpoudel@email.arizona.edu