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Disease Note.

First Report of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus in Cucurbita pepo in the Pacific Northwest. J. M. Crosslin, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC), Washington State University, Prosser 99350. J. K. Brown, and D. A. Johnson. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721; and IAREC. Plant Dis. 72:362. Accepted for publication 18 November 1987. Copyright 1988 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-72-0362A.

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) causes disease in many cucurbit species and has been reported from Europe, North Africa, and Israel and also from several states in most regions of the United States (1) except the Pacific Northwest. In August 1986, zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L. var. melopepo Alef.) plants in many commercial fields (approximately 40% of 102 ha affected) near Walla Walla, Washington, showed mosaic and leaf deformation and produced mottled, irregularly shaped, unmarketable fruit. Results of mechanical inoculation to 14 host species and electron microscopic observations of long, flexuous viruslike particles in plant sap suggested the involvement of one or more potyviruses. Agar gel double-diffusion results with antisera against papaya ringspot virus-W (PRSV-W, previously watermelon mosaic virus-1), watermelon mosaic virus-2 (WMV -2), and ZYMV indicated plants were infected with ZYMV or with both WMV-2 and ZYMV. PRSV-W was not detected in any sample in these tests. On the basis of host range, symptomatology, electron microscopy, and serological data, ZYMV is present in the Pacific Northwest and poses a potentially serious threat to cucurbit production in that area.

Reference: (1) R. Provvidenti et al. Plant Dis. 68:443, 1984.