ISHS Acta Horticulturae 695: I International Symposium on Tomato Diseases
IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS IN ALABAMA |
| Authors: | E.J. Sikora, J.F. Murphy |
| Keywords: | Aphis gossypii, CMV, satellite RNA, PGPR, biocontrol |
| Abstract:
In 1992, a severe outbreak of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) reduced tomato production by as much as 25% in two counties in North Alabama, a major tomato-growing region of the state. Disease incidence ranged from a few plants to 100% in some fields of 10 or more hectares. Extreme levels of the viral disease occurred again in 1993, with similar consequences. Surveys conducted in 1992 and 1993 found CMV present in 90% of fields surveyed and detected alone in 44% of the tomato plants assayed. Mixed infections were detected in 46% of plants sampled with Potato virus Y, Tobacco etch virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus and Tobacco mosaic virus often detected plants also infected with CMV. CMV remains a serious problem in this region while the incidence of the other viruses has lessened. At least 11 weed species that are reported hosts of CMV have been identified growing in areas adjacent to the affected tomato fields. The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, is a known vector of CMV and comprised over 80% of all aphids observed on plants during an aphid monitoring study in 1994. Those growers that continue to successfully produce tomatoes in the area have done so by improving their crop management practices. These include the use of improved weed sanitation programs, reflective mulch, and planting more of their tomato acreage earlier in the year, when effects of the disease are lessened. Biological control using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria protected tomato plants against CMV under greenhouse conditions and to a limited extent in the field. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
