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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #250236
Title: Patterns of Virus Distribution in Single and Mixed Infections of Florida Watermelons

Author
item Turechek, William
item Kousik, Chandrasekar - Shaker
item Adkins, Scott

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2010
Publication Date: 4/1/2010
Citation: Turechek, W., Kousik, C.S., Adkins, S.T. 2010. Patterns of Virus Distribution in Single and Mixed Infections of Florida Watermelons. HortScience. 45(4):511

Interpretive Summary: The whitefly-transmitted viruses Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) and Cucurbit yellow stunitng disorder (CYSDV), and to a lesser extent, the aphid transmitted virus Papay ringspot virus type W (PRSV-W) have had serious impact on watermelon production in west-central and southwest Florida in recent years. To determine virus distribution within plants, we collected 80 entire plants randomly, 20 each on four different dates, from a commercial watermelon field showing symptoms of SqVYV, CuLCrV and PRSV-W, and possibly CYSDV. This was followed by a smaller sampling of five plants in a different commercial planting. Results showed that the distribution of SqVYV in vines decreased proportionately with distance from the crown compared to CuLCrV which tended to be more evenly distributed throughout the plant. The distribution of PRSV-W resembled that of SqVYV, but with a slightly greater probability of detection at the tip of the vine. Similar trends were detected in the smaller sampling; however, CYSDV was also detected in these plants. Overall, our results indicate that SqVYV, CuLCrV, and PRSV-W are distributed differently in watermelon plants, and this difference has implications for sample collection, and may affect vector acquisition and transmission of these viruses.

Technical Abstract: Whitefly-transmitted Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) and Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV), and aphid-transmitted Papaya ringspot virus type W (PRSV-W) have had serious impact on watermelon production in southwest and west-central Florida in recent years. To determine the distribution of virus within plants, 80 entire plants were collected randomly, 20 each on four different dates, from a commercial watermelon field showing symptoms of SqVYV, CuLCrV and PRSV-W and possibly CYSDV. This was followed by a smaller sampling of five plants in a different commercial planting. Tissue prints were made from cross sections of watermelon plants from the crowns through the tips at 0.6 m intervals on nylon membranes and nucleic acid hybridization assays were used for virus detection. Results showed that SqVYV, CuLCrV and PRSV-W were present in approximately 37%, 43.5% and 54%, respectively, of the 80 plants from the first field. For individual vines diagnosed with SqVYV, the distribution of SqVYV in vine tissue decreased proportionately with distance from the crown. In contrast, CuLCrV tended to be more evenly distributed throughout the plant. The distribution of PRSV-W resembled that of SqVYV. In the smaller sampling similar trends were detected; however, CYSDV was also detected in these plants. Overall, results indicate that SqVYV, CuLCrV, and PRSV-W are distributed differently in watermelon plants, and this difference has implications for sample collection, and may affect vector acquisition and transmission of these viruses.