ARS | Publication request: Greenhouse and Field Evaluation of Multiple Virus Resistant Lagenaria siceraria Lines Potentially useful for Watermelon Rootstocks

Submitted to: Cucurbitaceae Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2010
Publication Date: November 14, 2010
Citation: Ling, K., Levi, A., Kousik, C.S., Hassell, R., Keinath, A., Miller, G., Adkins, S.T. 2010. Greenhouse and Field Evaluation of Multiple Virus Resistant Lagenaria siceraria Lines Potentially useful for Watermelon Rootstocks. Cucurbitaceae Proceedings. pp 308-310.

Technical Abstract: In previous evaluations we identified numerous lines of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) with complete or partial resistance to Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). In the present study, we were interested in developing bottle gourd lines with multiple virus resistance that could be useful as rootstocks for watermelon grafting. Initial evaluation of the 15 commercial rootstocks showed no virus resistance in several Cucurbita or Citrullus based cultivars and only partial resistance in some L. sicenaria ones. However, through single plant selection and/or crosses, a number of newly selected lines displayed multiple virus resistance to at least four viruses [including ZYMV, Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV)] in greenhouse tests. Broad spectrum virus resistance was confirmed in field trials at two separate locations in South Carolina in different years. Two lines (USVL#1-8 and USVL#5-5) have shown promise as rootstocks for watermelon grafting.