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Title: Whitefly-transmitted viruses: cultural strategies in vegetable crops

Author
item Simmons, Alvin
item ABD-RABOU, SHAABAN - Egyptian Ministry Of Agriculture

Submitted to: International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2012
Publication Date: 1/27/2013
Citation: Simmons, A.M., Abd-Rabou, S. 2013. Whitefly-transmitted viruses: cultural strategies in vegetable crops. The 12th International Symposium Plant Virus Epidemiology. Program and Book of Abstracts. p 83.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Whitefly-transmitted viruses are important problems in agriculture on a global scale. The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a notable vector because of the extensive number of viruses that it transmits and the extensive number of host plants that it feeds on. To help develop strategies to manage whitefly-transmitted viruses and B. tabaci in vegetable crops, experiments on several cultural techniques were conducted in Egypt. Mulching with white polyethylene, intercropping with corn (Zea mays L.), and crop rotation with corn resulted in reduced whitefly populations and reduced incidences of viruses in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). However, no benefit in virus incidence and whitefly abundance was obtained from modifying the planting time by one month earlier than standard planting. The viruses affecting the crops were Cucumber vein yellowing virus in cucumber, Squash leaf curl virus in squash, and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomato. Experiments were also conducted on some cultural irrigation practices (drip, furrow and sprinkler) in cucumber, green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), squash and tomato. A daily drip irrigation treatment resulted in the lowest incidences of plants with whitefly-transmitted virus symptoms and lowest whitefly populations, while the highest infections and infestations were observed for a weekly sprinkler irrigation treatment and a biweekly furrow irrigation treatment, respectively. Regardless of cultural treatment, there was a high correlation between virus incidence and whitefly abundance. This study demonstrates that certain cultural strategies can affect incidences of whitefly-transmitted viruses and whitefly populations in vegetable crops in Egypt.