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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403692
Research Project: Biological and Biotechnological Approaches for Management of Insect Vectors and Vector-borne Viruses Affecting Vegetable Crops

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus

Author
item Wintermantel, William - Bill

Submitted to: Extension Fact Sheets
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2023
Publication Date: 4/1/2023
Citation: Wintermantel, W.M. 2023. Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus. Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group. No. 2303. Available: https://ecucurbitviruses.org/resources/fact-sheets-videos/cucurbit-yellow-stunting-disorder-virus

Interpretive Summary: Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) causes severe yellowing and yield loss for many cucurbit crops including melon, squash, pumpkin, and watermelon. The virus was first identified as a threat to cucurbit production in the Middle East and has since spread throughout many cucurbit producing regions of the world. Symptoms of CYSDV infection on cucurbit plants do not develop until three weeks following infection and begin as yellow or white spots that rapidly develop into a mottle. As symptoms advance, veins remain green but tissue between veins turns yellow. Symptoms of CYSDV infection may be confused with symptoms caused by some other viruses, including the closely related cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus and beet pseudoyellows virus, as well as the unrelated, cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus. Symptoms of CYSDV infection may also be confused with those caused by various nutritional deficiencies. CYSDV is transmitted by the sweetpotato (or silverleaf) whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and infects all cucurbit crops as well as a large number of alternate host plant species from several genera. Resistance is not currently available in any commercial cucurbit varieties. Management is through crop and weed management and suppression of vector whitefly populations.

Technical Abstract: Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) causes severe yellowing and yield loss for many cucurbit crops including melon, squash, pumpkin, and watermelon. The virus was first identified as a threat to cucurbit production in the Middle East and has since spread throughout many cucurbit producing regions of the world. Symptoms of CYSDV infection on cucurbit plants do not develop until three weeks following infection, and begin as chlorotic (yellow) spots and rapidly develop into a chlorotic mottle. As symptoms advance, the chlorotic spots coalesce, developing into interveinal chlorosis. Symptoms of CYSDV infection may be confused with symptoms caused by some other viruses, including the criniviruses, cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus and beet pseudoyellows virus, as well as the polerovirus, cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus. Symptoms of CYSDV infection may also be confused with those caused by various nutritional deficiencies. CYSDV is transmitted by the sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and infects all cucurbit crops as well as a large number of alternate host plant species from several genera. Resistance sources have been identified and characterized, and resistance is being incorporated into melon (Cucumis melo) varieties. Management is through crop and weed management and suppression of vector whitefly populations.