Spatial distribution and identification of begomovirus (es) infecting muskmelon in Punjab, India

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) has considerable share in overall cucurbit vegetable cultivation in Punjab state. The successful production of the crop is threatened by number of biotic stresses. Among these, whitefly transmitted begomoviruses are very important. In order to know the prevalence of these viruses under Punjab conditions, major muskmelon growing areas in different districts viz., Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur and S.A.S. Nagar were surveyed. Further, confirmation of the prevalent virus(es) was done by PCR assays using virus specific markers. The perusal of the data revealed that district wise maximum incidence of begomovirus was observed in Sangrur (48.93%) and minimum in Ludhiana district (24.25%). In Kapurthala, S.A.S. Nagar, Jalandhar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, 32.37, 30.89, 26.41 and 26.00% incidence of the virus was recorded, respectively. The PCR analysis with begomovirus specific primers, PALIc1960 and PARIv722 confirmed the presence of begomovirus(es) in 65% of the collected samples. Further, PCR assay of the selected samples using primers specific to tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus, tomato leaf curl Palampur virus and squash leaf curl virus confirmed the association of these viruses in different muskmelon growing regions of Punjab.