Journal of Plant Pathology Archive

Abstract:

Virus diseases are the major cause of economic losses in commercial cucurbit production in Lebanon. Field tests showed that cross-protection with a mild strain of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV-WK) gave significant protection of squash plants against severe mosaic and leaf deformation symptoms induced by viruses and resulted in significant yield increase as compared to the control. The use of grey mulch gave only a low level of protection against such diseases. The highest total yield was obtained with floating row covers that gave good early protection against severe mosaic and leaf deformation symptoms and against the yellowing diseases. Plants showing yellowing symptoms were found to be infected by Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV) or CABYV and Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) in mixed infections.