Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India
1Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India
2Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India
Viral diseases were reported to be a major constraint in the cultivation of melons under Punjab conditions. During this study yellows and leaf curl symptoms were recorded on muskmelon crop which was due to the infection of begomovirus whereas, in watermelon crop infection of groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) was recorded that leads to the production of necrosis symptoms. Transmission of begomovirus and GBNV was tested through mechanical transmission, aphid transmission, whitefly transmission and seed transmission. In muskmelon crop where begomovirus was associated with yellows and leaf curl symptoms, 100% transmission was recorded through whiteflies whereas this virus has not shown transmission through other remaining methods. In whitefly based transmission, symptoms were observed 11 days after inoculation (DAI). In watermelon only 1% transmission of GBNV was observed through seeds whereas this virus was not transmitted through other tested methods. Symptoms were observed in the infected plants 34 days after sowing (DAS). Information regarding the mode of transmission of viral diseases could be very useful for their effective management.
Watermelon, Muskmelon, Transmission, Begomovirus, Groundnut bud necrosis virus
