ARS | Publication request: Physiological effects induced by Squash vein yellowing virus, causal agent of viral watermelon vine decline in Florida

Submitted to: Cucurbitaceae Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 1, 2010
Publication Date: November 14, 2010
Citation: Adkins, S.T., Webster, C.G., Mccollum, T.G., Albano, J.P., Turechek, W., Roberts, P., Webb, S.E., Baker, C.A., Kousik, C.S. 2010. Physiological effects induced by Squash vein yellowing virus, causal agent of viral watermelon vine decline in Florida. Cucurbitaceae Proceedings. 194-195.

Technical Abstract: Whitefly-transmitted Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) was recently shown to cause a watermelon vine decline that has had significant economic impact on watermelon production in southwest and west-central Florida during the past six years. Symptoms typically appear as a sudden decline of vines at harvest and although fruit appear normal, when cut, rind necrosis and flesh discoloration are often evident. To more fully characterize the systemic wilt and rind necrosis/discoloration induced by SqVYV, Crimson Sweet watermelon plants were grown i) in a greenhouse and mechanically inoculated with buffer (mock), SqVYV, or SqVYV and Papaya ringspot virus type W at two week intervals, or ii) in a field plot and mechanically inoculated with SqVYV at various plant growth stages. Symptoms and time of appearance were recorded. Whole plant weights and fruit quality parameters were additionally recorded for greenhouse studies. Plants developed symptoms of vine decline regardless of growth stage at inoculation. Symptoms of rind necrosis were evident in fruits of plants inoculated after fruit formation. The data collected in these studies will further elucidate the physiological effects of SqVYV infection on watermelon plants.