Detection of Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in the Northern Territory

Publication Date

Fri, 17 Oct 2014, 00:00

Last Updated

Oct. 16, 2014, 9:01 a.m.

Report Number

AUS-64/1

Country

Australia

Pest Id

Cucumber green mottle mosaic tobamovirus - (CGMMV0)

Report Status

Preliminary

Hosts

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Transient: actionable, under eradication

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: transient

Geographical Distribution

Northern Territory, Australia

Summary

This is the first report of CGMMV in Australia. Preliminary evidence indicates that the strain/s infecting watermelon in Australia have a close sequence similarity with a CGMMV strain from overseas.

CGMMV causes economic losses on a range of cucurbit crops but has only been detected on watermelon in Australia. CGMMV is also reported to infect weeds in some countries.

In watermelon, this virus causes leaf mottling and mosaic, plant wilt and fruit deterioration, including rotting and yellowing of the flesh. Infected fruit is rendered unmarketable. The virus is transmitted with infected plant debris, or contaminated machinery or equipment. It may also be transmitted from contaminated soil and water, infected seed, transplants, rootstock and contaminated packing material.

Danger

CGMMV has been found in several commercial watermelon properties in the Northern Territory. Strict movement restrictions are in place for affected watermelon properties in the Northern Territory. The eradication response includes the destruction of watermelon crops from properties with infected crops and surveillance activities.

Contact for info

Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Australian Government Department of Agriculture GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 [email protected]

Report files

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