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Title: BACTERIALIKE ORGANISM IMPLICATED IN YELLOW VINE DISEASE OF CUCURBITS

Author
item Bruton, Benny
item FLETCHER, J - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
item AVILA, F - UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
item Pair, Sammy
item SHERWOOD, J - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Horticultural Industry Conference
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: In 1988, a new vine decline called yellow vine of squash and pumpkin was observed in Oklahoma. A similar, if not identical disease was subsequently observed in watermelon and cantaloupe in central Texas and Oklahoma in 1991 Millions of dollars have been lost to this disease since its inception. An unusual bacterium (bacteriumlike organism, BLO) has been consistently associated with the disease using transmission electron microscopy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a distinct band only in yellow vine affected plants provides more convincing evidence that the causal agent is in fact a BLO. These findings support the consistent observation of a BLO in the phloem of symptomatic plants. BLO's are unique bacterial plant pathogens that cannot be cultured are are therefore extremely difficult to work with. With PCR detection now available, studies are underway to identify the insect vector and reservoir plant hosts that will ultimately allow the development of disease control strategies.

Technical Abstract: In 1988, a new vine decline, called yellow vine of squash and pumpkin was observed in Oklahoma. The causal agent was not identified. A similar, if not identical, disease was subsequently observed in watermelon and cantaloupe in Central Texas and Oklahoma in 1991. No fungal, viral, or prokaryotic pathogens were consistently associated with the yellow vine disease. Based on aggregation of diseased plants and a reduction of yello vine in insecticide-treated plots, insects seemed to have a direct association, either as a stress factor or vector of the disease. The pathogen which causes yellow vine of cucurbits has not been isolated nor positively identified despite being subjected to a vast array of diagnostic techniques. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a distinct band only in yellow vine affected plants provides more convincing evidence that the causal agent is in fact a (bacterialike organism). These findings ssupport the consistent observation of a BLO in the phloem of symptomatic plants. BLO's are unique bacterial plant pathogens that cannot be cultured and are therefore extremely difficult to work with. Insect transmission (leaf hopper) is a common characteristic of BLO's. With PCR detection now available, studies are underway to identify the insect vector and reservoir plant hosts that will ultimately allow the development of disease control strategies.