Detection and incidence of cucurbit viruses in Kırşehir province, Türkiye

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the status and prevalence of viral diseases in cucurbit production areas in Kırşehir province. During the 2023 production season, surveys were conducted in the districts of Center, Kaman, and Mucur in Kırşehir, where cucurbit production is intensive, and a total of 149 squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and melon leaf samples were collected from plants exhibiting virus-like symptoms in the region. Leaf samples were tested for the common vegetable viruses Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) using the DAS-ELISA method. According to the results obtained, CMV, TSWV, and ToMV are the most common viruses in cucurbit production areas of Kırşehir province, detected at rates of 52.3%, 26.2%, and 24.2%, respectively. TMV and ZYMV have been detected at lower rates in cucurbit plants. In addition, mixed infections involving double, triple, and quadruple infections of the viruses studied were identified in 28.9% of the samples. When assessing the damage caused by viral infections to cucurbit plants, it was observed that the most damage to squash and pumpkin leaves were caused by mixed TMV+TSWV infections, to cucumber leaves by TSWV, and to melon leaves by CMV. The results showed that the five viruses studied are quite widespread in the cucurbit production areas of Kırşehir and could significantly limit production. These findings, presented for the first time in Kırşehir, emphasize the importance of using healthy propagation materials, integrated disease management, resistant/tolerant varieties in cultivation, and vector control to reduce virus-induced yield and quality losses in cucurbit production in the region.