Posted on 04/24/2008 7:34:21 AM PDT by blam
Three Viruses Threaten Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkins, Cucumbers And Now Green Beans
Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus, a major problem of cucumbers, was found in green beans in Florida for the first time. (Credit: USDA)
ScienceDaily (Apr. 20, 2008) — Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Florida have made recommendations to help growers deal with several whitefly-transmitted viruses that threaten cucurbits and other crops in that state.
In recent years, the number of whitefly-transmitted viruses in cucurbit fields, home to crops like cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins, melons and watermelons, has increased to almost epidemic proportions in Florida.
Researchers led by plant pathologists Scott Adkins and Bill Turechek at the ARS Subtropical Plant Pathology Research Unit in Fort Pierce, Fla., are dealing with a "triple threat" to cucurbits: three major viruses, all transmitted by silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. The host range is similar—mostly cucurbits—but the symptoms differ. And the researchers have discovered a new host for the whiteflies: green beans.
In January 2008, Adkins and Turechek released a report that revealed that the Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus (CuLCrV ) has been detected in green beans in southwest Florida, the first report of CuLCrV infecting any host other than cucurbits in Florida. Symptoms on green bean plants included leaf deformation, especially of younger leaves, and a mild or chlorotic mosaic, a blotching of the plant’s skin.
The discovery of CuLCrV on green bean plants in Hendry County in southwest Florida in mid-December 2007 suggests that CuLCrV may be more widely distributed than previously known in Florida, and that green beans, and potentially other legumes, may become an important reservoir host of CuLCrV in the state. Previous reports of CuLCrV affecting non-cucurbit plants include beans and tobacco in the late 1990s in California, Arizona, Texas and Mexico.
Another of the 'triple threats' is Squash Vein Yellowing Virus (SqVYV), whose hosts include cucurbits, especially squash and watermelon. SqVYV causes death in young watermelon plants, death of vines of older plants and other problems. Trials of SqVYV resistance are currently being conducted by grafting watermelon germplasm onto gourd rootstock and evaluating the watermelon scions for symptoms.
The third of the threats is Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV), which was first seen in Florida in 2007 and infects melons, cucumbers, gourds and squash, with symptoms including yellowing of the leaf veins and leaves.
The recommendations the ARS researchers made for controlling these viruses include selecting the most vigorous and well-adapted varieties; using whitefly- and pathogen-free transplants; using reflective mulches that repel aphids; and maintaining a host-free period between spring and fall crops.
Adapted from materials provided by US Department of Agriculture.
Watermelon futures will go thru the roof! Rationing may be
possible!
When they start getting rid of things like DDT for no reason what so ever, or because someone writes a book....you will start having troubles.
Bushes fault!!!!
like malaria in Africa!
The problem was that there were no garbage disposals and maggots quickly evolved in the aluminum garbage cans.
Garbage was taken to incinerators in those days. It worked well. Plastics eventually caused the problems with the incinerators.
Rachel Carson was a hack!
Please, please, please can someone remind me of the scientist that used to eat a “lethal” dose (spoonfull) of DDT at every lecture that he gave for decades, and then ended up dying in his eighties climbing a mountain?
It’s really hard to remember him because his story has proven to be the biggest “inconvenient truth” of the hard-line environmental skepticism movement.
Can we turn them into fuel...and have our corn back please!!
I finally remembered!!!
His name was J. Gordon Edwards. Do yourself a favor and read about his life anytime someone touts the existence of a scientific concensus on any issue (especially an environmental one).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Gordon_Edwards_(mountaineer)
Sorry about the blank Wikipedia link - I didn’t click through to check it.
Here’s a good source:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45063
wow read this.
Time for a Gardeners Ping?
Every five years, we need to spray the entire world with DDT.
There’s a joke here about government labs, Rev. Wright, and targeting black people but John McCain told me not to make it.
Thanks for the ping. Let’s hope they get a handle on the problem.
Fanning the food hysteria flames...
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