Disease Note

First Report of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus on Watermelon and Squash in Turkey. R. F. Davis, Department of Plant Pathology, Cook College, Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, and M. A. Yilmaz, Department of Plant Protection, Agricultural Faculty, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. Plant Dis. 68:537, 1984. Accepted for publication 24 February 1984. Copyright 1984 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-537d.

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), a member of the potyvirus group, was isolated from watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.) and squash (Cucurbit pepo L.) plants collected in Adana, Turkey.  Squash plants mechanically inoculated in the greenhouse with either isolate developed severe mosaic and distortion symptoms typical of ZYMV in 5–7 days.  In both gel double diffusion serology tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, the Turkish isolates were serologically indistinguishable from each other and from U. S. and European isolates of ZYMV, whereas all ZYMV isolates were serologically related to, but distinct from, watermelon mosaic virus 2.  Flexuous rod particles typical of ZYMV were found in preparations of purified virus by electron microscopy.

References: Lecoq, H., et al. Plant Dis. 67:824, 1983.  Lisa, V. et al. Phytopathology 71:667, 1981.