Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus
Scientific name: Tobamovirus virus group
At Risk
Growers of cucurbits, including cucumber, melons, and pumpkins. In addition, these are highly popular crops to grow in household and community gardens.
Distribution
Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus has been an issue for cucurbits in many areas of the world including Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The first finds of this pathogen in North America were in California (watermelon fields) and Alberta (greenhouse cucumbers) during 2013. This pathogen has never been documented in Minnesota.
Biology
Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus infects cucurbit crops including cucumber, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Infected plants may drop their fruit, and remaining fruit will likely be stunted. Plants, seedlings and seeds may be infected, and the virus is easily transmitted between plants in a variety of ways including equipment, people, and insects. Weeds and other non-cucurbit plants can serve as hosts to the virus.
Identification
Symptoms of infected plants vary but include leaf spots, mosaic, chlorosis, necrosis, abnormal growth and/or stunted growth.Identification of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus would require laboratory testing.
 grown cucumbers in Alberta, Canada. Photo by Dr. Weizheng (John) Zhang. |
Look-Alikes
There are a number of other viruses affecting cucurbits that will have similar symptomatology including cucumber mosaic virus, squash mosaic virus, watermelon mosaic virus and zucchini yellow mosaic virus. There are also other pathogens as well as other factors that may result in similar symptoms. The University of Minnesota’s website, “What’s wrong with my plant?” is a great resource for help determining common problems of plants.
Pest Status
Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) is a regulated pathogen that is being eradicated from California.
What Can I Do?
The University of Minnesota Plant Diagnostic Clinic is available to test samples of unknown plant problems. Contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture via email at Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us if you suspect an infestation of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in Minnesota.
