OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF VIRUSES ON WATERMELON AND CANTALOUPE AND HOST-RESPONSE TO WHITEFLY-TRANSMITTED VIRUSES ON SQUASH

Viruses transmitted by whiteflies affect many agricultural crops and cause a global decline in food production. In fall production in the United States, viruses that infect cucurbits include the cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), cucurbit yellows stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV), and watermelon crinkle leaf associated virus 1 (WCLaV-1). Management of these viruses depends on early detection and understanding of the spread and biology of the virus. A survey was conducted in cantaloupe and watermelon-producing counties in Georgia and high throughput sequencing was used to study the prevalence of the viruses in spring crops. To develop a better management strategy, plant introduction lines were accessed for resistance to single infection of CCYV and CuLCrV under greenhouse conditions.