The viruses are spread by certain aphids including green peach aphid, melon aphid and cowpea aphid.
Management of mosaic disease starts with minimising virus sources prior to planting to limit or prevent introduction into newly planted crops. The three key cornerstones to manage mosaic disease are (1) use quality seedlings, (2) reduction of virus sources (crop debris, volunteer cucurbit seedlings and cucurbit weeds) prior to planting and (3) limited use of insecticides. Insecticide use is limited to control of aphids as a pest and not to control mosaic disease. This is because insecticides can have the reverse effect and cause increased spread of the potyviruses and thus more mosaic disease. Integrated disease management in melons is essential given the overlap in conditions and sources between multiple insect pests including aphids, whitefly, thrips and mites.
For further information please refer to the “Potyvirus - Fact Sheet” on mosaic disease available through the Melons Australia website
HERE. Simply type in "Potyvirus" to the search bar and it will provide you a downloadable PDF.
Additionally, viruses such as
cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and
melon necrotic spot virus(MNSV) cause direct impact to melon crops where they occur. These viruses survive well in the soil and are difficult to manage, however, they both have very limited distribution in Australian melon growing regions. These viruses, in addition to the potyviruses, can result in rejection to international markets if detected in export fruit consignments.
For more information contact Cherie Gambley
cherie.gambley@agrecoaustralia.com.
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