Viruses infecting Cucurbita pepo: Current status and management

Abstract

Cucurbita pepo has been known since the dawn of time and presently widely cultivated particularly by small land-holding farmers for business purposes. This particular crop is threatened by several viral diseases resulting in losses through reduction in growth and yield. The viruses cause striking damages by distortion and mottling of fruit, making the produces unmarketable. Viruses are gaining international importance because of yield losses and adverse quality. Moreover, most of the causal viruses induced unspecific symptoms and this make their diagnosis difficult. The most important viruses on C. pepo are Cucumber mosaic virus, Watermelon mosaic virus, Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, Papaya ringspot virus and Begomovirus (es). These viruses have been reported from different regions of the world. In this chapter, collective information on occurrence, symptomatology, characterization, transmission and management approaches of C.pepo viruses has been discussed.