Gyeonggi Agricultural Research & Extension Services Issues Virus Alert for Cucurbit Crops

Melon infected with cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services has issued a warning regarding two viruses found in cucurbit crops in the province: 'Cucurbit Aphid-Borne Yellows Virus (CABYV)' and 'Cucurbit Chlorotic Yellows Virus (CCYV)'.

These viruses cause chlorosis, a condition where insufficient light prevents chlorophyll formation, leading to damage in cucurbit crops such as watermelon, cucumber, and melon.

The Agricultural Research and Extension Services explained that a survey conducted over the past three years in major cucumber cultivation areas including Anseong, Yongin, and Pyeongtaek revealed the continuous occurrence of both CABYV and CCYV.

Infection by CABYV and CCYV results in yellowing or mosaic-like spots on leaves, reducing photosynthetic efficiency. In melons, irregular netting or bumpy deformities form on the fruit, causing significant damage.

These symptoms are similar to those caused by physiological disorders, making differentiation difficult. CABYV is transmitted by aphids, while CCYV is spread by whiteflies, so the control agents for these vector insects differ accordingly.

Therefore, precise diagnosis and control require advanced testing such as 'Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)' to analyze the virus's genetic material.

Jungsu Park, head of the Environmental Agriculture Research Division at the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, stated, "It is essential to thoroughly control vector insects from the seedling stage. If suspicious symptoms are observed, submitting samples to the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research Plant Disease Clinic for virus testing will provide accurate results through PCR testing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.