Penetration and reproduction of root-knot nematodes on cucurbit species

Cucurbits are often cultivated in rotation with Solanaceae in double-cropping systems. Most cucurbits have been described as susceptible to root-knot nematodes (RKN) but little is known on their relative levels of susceptibility. Because RKN species differ in rates of root invasion and reproductive traits, isolates of M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica were compared on five cucurbit hosts in experiments run in a climate growth chamber. They included zucchini squash cv Amalthee, cucumber cv Dasher II, melon cv Pistolero, pumpkin cv Totanera and watermelon cv Sugar Baby. All cucurbits were susceptible to the three RKN isolates although M. javanica showed higher invasion rates, faster development and higher egg production than M. arenaria on the selected cucurbits. Apparent differences among cucurbits were primarily due to root invasion rates and formation of egg masses. Both Cucumis species (cucumber and melon) were better hosts for nematode invasion and reproduction than zucchini squash, followed by watermelon. Large invasion rates followed by small reproduction traits were linked to M. incognita on zucchini squash. Reduced invasion rates and egg mass formation along with delayed early development were shown on watermelon.     

A new pathotype of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudoperonospora cubensis</Emphasis> causing downy mildew in cucurbits in Israel

Downy mildew, incited by the comycetePseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk.et Curt.) Rost., was recorded in Israel during the years 1979–2001 on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and melon (Cucumis melo) and classified as pathotype 3. In July 2002 severe outbreaks of downy mildew occurred on pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) and summer squash (Cucurbita pepo subsp.pepo). Host range pathogenicity studies revealed high compatibility of the new population with cucumber, melon, pumpkin and summer squash but low compatibility with watermelon. This new population was therefore designated as pathotype 6. The possible origin of this new pathotype in Israel is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 9, 2003.     

西葫芦环斑病病原鉴定及葫芦科作物对西瓜花叶病毒抗性筛选

 西瓜花叶病毒(watermelon mosaic virus,WMV)是危害我国葫芦科作物生产的重要病原。培育和种植抗病品种是防治病毒病最经济有效的措施。本研究利用RT-PCR和血清学方法在表现环斑症状的西葫芦果实上检测到WMV,未检测到番木瓜环斑病毒(papaya ringspot virus,PRSV)。接种WMV侵染性克隆到西葫芦品种绿源冬宝,果实表面产生环斑症状,表明WMV是引起西葫芦果实表面环斑症状的重要病原。利用间接ELISA方法对山东泰安的西瓜、黄瓜、甜瓜、西葫芦和南瓜等46个样品检测发现33个样品表现WMV血清学阳性(检出率71.74%),薛庄采集的带有环斑症状的西葫芦均检测到WMV。对山东省81份葫芦科作物种质资源抗WMV鉴定发现西葫芦品种万盛丰宝、盛丰金珠表现中抗(MR);西瓜品种绿宝新秀和浪潮一号表现中抗(MR);甜瓜品种黄皮面瓜表现抗病(R);黄瓜品种星君贝贝表现中抗(MR);南瓜品种爱维80南瓜表现高抗(HR),蜜本南瓜、传统蜜本南瓜、七叶早南瓜、玲珑二号和绿贝贝迷你南瓜等5个品种表现抗病(R);瓠瓜品种均表现为感病(S)。研究结果对合理布局葫芦科作物品种防控WMV具有重要意义。     

Differential reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica in watermelon cultivars and cucurbit rootstocks

The suitability of watermelon cultivars and cucurbit rootstocks as hosts to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica was determined in pot and field experiments. Meloidogyne incognita showed higher reproduction than did M. javanica on watermelon and cucurbit rootstocks. The watermelon cultivars did not differ in host status when challenged with these two species and supported lower nematode reproduction than the cucurbit rootstocks. Rootstocks Lagenaria siceraria cv. Pelops and Cucurbita pepo AK15 supported lower reproduction than did the squash hybrid rootstocks (C. maxima × C. moschata). Egg production increased (P < 0·05) with a rising initial inoculum level (Pi) in the non‐grafted Sugar Baby but the reproduction factor Rf (eggs per plant/Pi) was similar at two Pi levels. The total egg production in the plants grafted onto squash hybrids RS841 and Titan was greater (P < 0·05) at the higher Pi, but the Rf values were lower. The development of field‐grown non‐grafted watermelon plants was significantly stunted in plots where nematodes were detected at planting. However, no differences were observed in plots with grafted plants. In plots with nematodes, non‐grafted and Titan‐grafted plants had similar yields that were higher than that of RS841‐grafted plants. In the commercial plastic houses with grafted watermelon, the average Rf value was 42‐fold, confirming the high susceptibility of squash hybrids as rootstocks for grafted watermelon. The Titan–Sugar Baby combination was tolerant to M. javanica.     

Engineered Mild Strains of Papaya ringspot virus for Broader Cross Protection in Cucurbits

ABSTRACT Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) HA5-1, a mild mutant of type P Hawaii severe strain (PRSV P-HA), has been widely used for the control of PRSV type P strains in papaya, but did not provide practical protection against PRSV type W strains in cucurbits. In order to widen the protection effectiveness against W strains, chimeric mild strains were constructed from HA5-1 to carry the heterologous 3' genomic region of a type W strain W-CI. Virus accumulation of recombinants and their crossprotection effectiveness against W-CI and P-HA were investigated. In horn melon and squash plants, the recombinant carrying both the heterologous coat protein (CP) coding region and the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), but not the heterologous CP coding region alone, significantly enhanced the protection against W-CI. The heterologous 3'UTR alone is critical for the enhancement of the protection against W-CI in horn melon, but not in zucchini squash. In papaya, the heterologous CP coding region or 3'UTR alone, but not both together, significantly reduced the effectiveness of cross protection against P-HA. Our recombinants provide broader protection against both type W and P strains in cucurbits; however, the protective effectiveness is also affected by virus accumulation, the organization of the 3' genomic region, and host factors.     

Biological characterization of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus from Spain

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV; family Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus) is an emerging virus in horticulture crops in Asia, and has recently been introduced in Spain, Tunisia and Italy. No betasatellite DNA was detected in infected tomato and zucchini squash samples from Spain, and agroinoculated viral DNA‐A and DNA‐B were sufficient to reproduce symptoms in plants of both crop species. Infected tomato and zucchini squash plants also served as inoculum sources for efficient transmission either mechanically or using Bemisia tabaci whiteflies. Cucumber, melon, watermelon, zucchini squash, tomato, eggplant and pepper, but not common bean, were readily infected using viruliferous whiteflies and expressed symptoms 8–15 days post‐inoculation. New full‐length sequences from zucchini squash and tomato indicated a high genetic homogeneity (>99% sequence identity) in the ToLCNDV populations in Spain, pointing to a single recent introduction event.     

Molecular,biological and serological variability of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus in Tunisia

A study was conducted to better understand the population structure of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), a severe virus affecting cucurbit crops worldwide, in Tunisia and to estimate whether the use of resistant cultivars may provide durable control. Analysis of the polymerase and coat protein (NIb‐CP) partial sequences of 83 isolates collected in the three main cucurbit‐growing areas in Tunisia showed that ZYMV grouped into two distinct clusters within ZYMV molecular group A. An important variability was observed in the MREK motif of the P3 protein, a motif associated with tolerance breaking in ZYMV‐tolerant zucchini squash cultivars. Interestingly, significant differences were found in the distribution of the MREK variants in the two clusters defined by the partial NIb‐CP sequences, MREK and MKEK sequences being more common in cluster 1 and cluster 2, respectively. When combining NIb‐CP and P3 sequence information, ZYMV molecular variability was shown to be significantly higher in the Cap Bon region than in the Bizerte area. An important biological variability was observed in a subset of 23 isolates regarding symptomatology in susceptible or resistant cucurbits. Some isolates overcame ZYMV tolerance or resistance in zucchini squash and melon, but not in cucumber. Three serotypes were differentiated using a set of 13 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Seven parameters characterizing the 23 isolates, including molecular, serological and biological properties, were used for a multiple component analysis (MCA). This analysis revealed that symptom intensity of a given isolate was similar in different susceptible cucurbit hosts, suggesting similar degrees of aggressiveness in different hosts.     

甘肃省南瓜及西葫芦小西葫芦黄花叶病毒病鉴定

利用双抗夹心酶联免疫吸附测定(DAS-ELISA)的方法对甘肃出入境南瓜、西葫芦种子及采自河西地区显症病株叶片进行检测,在种子及病叶组织中均检测到ZYMV病毒,其中南瓜种子带毒批次占12.5%,西葫芦种子带毒批次占11.8%。根据已报道的小西葫芦黄花叶病毒(Zucchini yellow mosaic virus)基因组核苷酸序列,设计引物扩增其外壳蛋白(CP)基因,以ELISA阳性种子或病叶组织总RNA为模板,进行RT-PCR扩增,对预期大小的扩增产物进行测序,结果表明扩增获得的核苷酸序列与世界各地的ZYMV分离物CP基因具有高度一致性,综合ELISA检测和RT-PCR的结果,确定南瓜、西葫芦种子可携带ZYMV,且ZYMV是侵染甘肃瓜类作物的重要病毒种类。     

Diaporthe sclerotioides exhibits no host specificity among cucurbit species

Plant–fungal specificity between cucurbitaceous crops and Diaporthe sclerotioides, the causal agent of black root rot, was studied using cucumbers (Cucumis sativa), melons (Cucumis melo), pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima), watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) and bottlegourd (Lagenaria siceraria var. gourda). Twelve D. sclerotioides isolates from these cucurbit species were cross‐inoculated. The virulence of the isolates was evaluated as the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). All cucurbit species were susceptible to each isolate, but AUDPCs were significantly different among the hosts, with the order of greatest to least being melon, cucumber, watermelon, bottlegourd and finally, pumpkin. The infectiveness of isolates was assessed as the quantity of D. sclerotioides DNA detected in the hypocotyls of seedlings 2 weeks after inoculation using a real‐time PCR protocol. The fungal DNA quantities varied among the species in the same order as the AUDPCs. Whilst there were statistically significant correlations between the virulence and infectiveness of D. sclerotioides isolates in cucumbers, melons and bottlegourds, their coefficients of determination were not high (r² < 0·6). Orthogonal contrasts indicated no specificity in either the fungal virulence or infectiveness between D. sclerotioides isolates and the cucurbit hosts from which these isolates originated. Thus, although the degree of host susceptibility to D. sclerotioides varies among cucurbit species, the absence of specificity to the host species in either virulence or infectiveness suggests the pathogen may spread via various cucurbit crops, irrespective of their original host species.     

番木瓜环斑病毒西瓜株系弱毒突变体的筛选与应用

为防治番木瓜环斑病毒(Papaya ringspot virus,PRSV)在我国葫芦科作物上引起的病毒病害,以PRSV西瓜株系山东分离物(PRSV-SD)侵染性cDNA克隆为基础,采用定点突变方法将辅助成分-蛋白酶保守氨基酸137位和346位的天冬酰胺(N)和417位的缬氨酸(V)突变为丙氨酸(A),应用农杆菌浸润法接种西葫芦叶片并分析突变对PRSV-SD致病力的影响,筛选弱毒突变体,进而评价其交叉保护效果。结果表明,与野生型PRSV-SD相比,获得的3个突变体N137A、N346A和V417A,接种后在西葫芦植株上的症状明显减轻,衣壳蛋白在叶片中的积累水平分别为野生型PRSV-SD的24.0%、13.0%和4.0%,均为弱毒突变体。当保护间隔期为10 d时,弱毒突变体N137A具有完全的交叉保护效果,N346A可延迟发病15 d,而V417A无交叉保护效果。当间隔保护期为15 d时,弱毒突变体N137A和N346A的保护效率分别为100.0%和26.7%,而V417A无交叉保护效果。     

Screening tomato and cucurbit rootstocks for resistance to Verticillium dahliae*

Seedlings of tomato (19) and cucurbits (33), previously selected as rootstocks for commercial cultivars, were evaluated for their resistance to verticillium wilt under glasshouse conditions. Disease scoring was based on foliar symptoms, but in plants with no visual or ambiguous symptoms the presence of the pathogen was confirmed by isolations or PCR using specific DNA primers. Five of the cucurbit rootstocks showed resistance to infection, 11 were moderately infected, 11 were susceptible, while the remaining six were very susceptible. In general, Cucurbita pepo (courgette, pumpkin) and Lagenaria siceraria tolerated infection, Cucumis melo rootstocks were susceptible and Citrullus vulgaris was the most susceptible. When inoculated with race 1 of the pathogen, one of the tomato rootstocks was very resistant, three moderately resistant, nine tolerant, ten susceptible and one very susceptible. Pathogenicity tests with race 2 showed that none of the rootstocks exhibited high tolerance, but that there was some variation in susceptibility. Research is under way to evaluate the reaction of commercial cultivars to verticillium wilt when grafted onto resistant rootstocks.     

Virus transmission by host-specific strains ofOlpidium bornovanus andOlpidium brassicae

Zoospores of 12 isolatesO. bornovanus from geographically diverse sites and representing the three host specific cucurbit strains were tested as vectors for seven viruses using watermelon bait plants and the in vitro acquisition method. All isolates of the cucumber, melon, and squash strains transmitted melon necrotic spot carmovirus (MNSV) and cucumber necrosis tombusvirus (CNV) but none transmitted petunia asteroid mosaic tombusvirus (PAMV) or tobacco necrosis necrovirus (TNV). The isolates varied as vectors of three other carmoviruses: cucumber leaf spot virus (CLSV); cucumber soil borne virus (CSBV); and squash necrosis virus (SqNV). All cucumber isolates transmitted CLSV and SqNV but not CSBV. Some of the melon isolates transmitted CLSV and SqNV but none transmitted CSBV. Two squash isolates transmitted CSBV and SqNV but not CLSV. Two isolates ofO. brassicae transmitted only TNV and a third did not transmit any of the viruses. The species of bait plant sometimes affected transmission. The most efficient vector strains ofO. bornovanus, as determined by reducing zoospores and virus in the inoculum, were the cucumber strain for CLSV; the cucumber strain for CNV if cucumber was the bait plant or melon strain if watermelon was the bait plant; and the squash strain for SqNV. The plurivorous strain ofO. brassicae was the most efficient vector of TNV.Olpidium bornovanus is the first vector reported for CSBV and is confirmed as a vector of SqNV. It is proposed that all carmoviruses may have fungal vectors.Ligniera sp. did not transmit any of the viruses in one attempt.Abbreviations CLSV cucumber leaf spot virus - CNV cucumber necrosis virus - CSBV cucumber soil borne virus - MNSV melon necrotic spot virus - PAMV petunia asteroid mosaic virus - SqNV squash necrosis virus - TNV tobacco necrosis virus - TBSV tomato bushy stunt virus     

PCR-based assays to detect and quantify <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phomopsis sclerotioides</Emphasis> in plants and soil

We developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect and quantify Phomopsis sclerotioides, the causal agent of black root rot of cucurbits. We used internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from representative isolates to search for target sequences. Primer pairs were selected after testing against 40 fungal isolates including 13 Ph. sclerotioides isolates, 9 Phomopsis isolates other than Ph. sclerotioides, and 18 soilborne fungi that were either pathogenic or nonpathogenic to cucurbits. Conventional PCR assays with the primer pair of CPs-1 (forward) and CPs-2 (reverse) produced target DNA amplicons from all Ph. sclerotioides isolates but none of the other isolates tested. From soil and root samples collected from fields naturally infested with black root rot of cucumber and melon, the CPs-1/CPs-2 primer pair successfully amplified target DNA fragments in conventional PCR assays. Moreover, we applied the CPs-1/CPs-2 primer pair in a real-time PCR assay with SYBR Green I, and PCR-amplified products were successfully quantified by reference to a standard curve generated by adding known amounts of target DNA. Target Ph. sclerotioides DNA fragments were similarly detected in artificially inoculated roots of cucumber, melon, pumpkin, and watermelon, but quantities of Ph. sclerotioides DNA in their hypocotyls of the hosts varied as follows: melon ≥ cucumber ≥ watermelon > pumpkin. These results suggest that Ph. sclerotioides infection is not species-specific but the rate of infection may differ among host species.     

Mating type and sexual reproduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudoperonospora cubensis</Emphasis>, the downy mildew agent of cucurbits

The oomycete Pseudoperonospora cubensis is a leaf pathogen causing severe damage to members of the Cucurbitaceae, especially cucumber and melon. It propagates clonally by sporangia. Oospores of P. cubensis were previously observed in nature but their formation in the laboratory was never reported nor their germination or infection. Here we report on the sexual reproduction of P. cubensis under controlled conditions in the laboratory. When field isolates were inoculated singly onto detached leaves of cucurbits in growth chambers no oospores were produced. However, when pairs of selected isolates were mixed and inoculated onto detached leaves, oospores were formed in the mesophyll within 6–11 days, suggesting that P. cubensis is heterothallic, having two opposite mating types, A1 and A2. Isolates belonging to pathotype 3 were all A1 whereas isolates belonging to the new pathotype 6 were either A1 or A2. Oospores were spherical, ~40 μm in diameter, hyaline to red-brown in color. Oospores were produced regularly, in large numbers, in Cucumis sativum and Cucumis melo, very seldom and in very small numbers in Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima and Citrullus lanatus, and not in Cucurbita moschata. Oospores were formed at 12.5–21°C but not at 25°C. Under moisture-saturated atmosphere oospores were also produced in leaves of intact plants. Oospores inoculated onto detached leaves in growth chambers produced F1 downy mildew lesions at 6–21 days after inoculation, many in Cucumis sativum, Cucumis melo and Cucurbita moschata, very few in Cucurbita pepo or Citrullus lanatus, and none in Cucurbita maxima. This report shows that P. cubensis is heterothallic, having A1 and A2 mating types which can cross and enable sexual reproduction in cucurbits. A preliminary report on part of the results has been published earlier.     

Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.     

Dipropetryn absorption during germination by cucurbit seeds and its influence on seedling growth

The effect of pre-emergence application of dipropetryn on the survival and growth of three watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.), two cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), two melon (Cucumis melo L.) and three squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivars was studied in the glasshouse. The tolerance was in the order watermelon > squash > cucumber > melon. After 66 h of germination peeled (with seed coat removed) seeds of ‘Malali’ watermelon, and ‘Michlo-Lavan’ squash accumulated in their cotyledons 119 and three times more ¹⁴C dipropetrym, respectively, than unpeeled (intact) seeds. Three watermelon cultivars accumulated similar concentrations of ¹⁴C in their cotyledons when germinated in soil for 48 h at 26°C or for 120 h at 16°C. Cucumber and squash, however, accumulated significantly higher levels of¹⁴C at the 48 h/26°C regime than at 120 h/16°C. Overall, cucumber and squash accumulated 12 times more ¹⁴C in cotyledons than watermelon, Significant negative correlations were found between seed coal thickness, or the weight ratio of seed coat to total seed, vs dipropetryn accumulation in the cotyledons. The results indicate that the seed coat plays an important role in reducing dipropetryn accumulation within cucurbit seeds during germination and may, at least partially, contribute to the observed tolerance in watermelon. Absorption de la dipropetyrene par des graines de cucurbitacées en germination et influence sur la croissance des plantuies L'effet de traitements de pré-levée par la dipropétryne (2-ethylthio-4,6-di(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine) sur la survie et la croissance de trois cultivars de melon d'eau (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.), deux de concombre (Cucumis sativus L.), deux de melon (Cucumis melo L.) et trois de courge (Cucurbita pepo L.), a étéétudié en serre. Par ordre de tolérance, on a trouvé le classement suivant: melon d'eau > courge > concombre > melon. Après 66 h de germination, des graines pelées (par enlèvement des téguments) de melon d'eau ‘Malali’ et de courge ‘Michlo-Lavan’ accumulaient dans leurs cotylédons respectivement 119 el trois fois plus de ¹⁴C-dipropetryne que des graines non pelées (intactes). Trois cultivars de melon d'eau accumulaient des concentrations similaires de ¹⁴C dans leurs cotylédons lorsqu'ils germaient dans le sol à 26°C pendant 48 h ou à 16°C pendant 120 h. Les concombres et les courges, toutefois, accumulaient significativement plus de ¹⁴C sous le régime 26°C/48 h que sous 16°C/120 h. Globalement, les concombres et les courges accumulaient 12 fois plus de ¹⁴C dans leurs cotylédons que les melons d'eau. Des corrélations négatives significatives ont été trouvées entre l'épaisseur des téguments ou l'importance relative du poids des téguments, d'une part, et l'accumulation de la dipropetryne dans les cotylédons, d'autre part. Les résultats indiquent que les téguments jouent un rôle important en réduisant l'accumulation de dipropétryne à l'intérieur ties graines de cucurbitacées pendant la germination et peuvent, au moins partiellement, contribuer à la tolérance observée chez le melon d'eau. Die Aufnahme von Dipropetryn während der Keimung von Cucurbitaceen-Samen und ihr Einfluss auf das Keimlingswachstum Gegensland dieser Gewächshausuntersuchung war der Effekt von Vorauflaufbehandlungen mit Dipropetryn (2-Aethylthio-4,6-di(isopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazin) auf Ueberleben und Wachstum der Keimlinge von drei Sorten Wassermelonen (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.), zwei Sorten Gurken (Cucumis sativus L.), zwei Melonen-Sorten (Cucumis melo L.) und drei Sorten von Kürbis (Cucurbita pepo L.). Bezüglich Toleranz war die Reihenfolge der Arten: Wassermelone > Kürbis > Gurke > Melone. Nach 66 h Keimungsdauer hatten geschalte Samen von ‘Malali’- Wassermelonen und ‘Michlo-Lavan’-Kürbis in ihren Kotyledonen 119 resp. 3 mal mehr ¹⁴C-Dipropetryn akkumuliert als die ungeschälten, intakten Samen, Drei Sorten von Wassermelonen nahmen ähnliche Mengen ¹⁴C auf, wenn sie in Erde während 48 h bei 26 C oder während 120 h bei 16°C zur Keimung gebracht worden waren. Gurken und Kürbis akkumulierten signifikant höhere Mengen von ¹⁴C währund 48 h bei 26°C, als während 120 h bei 16°C. Im Allgemeinen nahmen Gurken und Kürbis 12 mal mehr ¹⁴C in ihre Kotyledonen auf als Wassermelonen. Es wurden signifikant negative Korrelationen zwischen dem Dicken- resp. Gewichtsverhältnis der Samenschale zum Gesamtsamen und der Anhäufung von Dipropetryn in den Kotyledonen gefunden. Die Resultate weisen darauf hin, dass die Samenschle bei der Reduktion der Dipropetrynakkumulation innerhalb der Samen von Kürbisgewächsen während ihrer Keimung eine wichtige Rolle spielt und, zum mindesten teilweise, zur beobachteten Toleranz der Wassermelone beiträgt.     

The pumpkin fly Dacus frontalis (Diptera: Tephritidae): a new pest of curcubits in Tunisia

The pumpkin fly Dacus frontalis is reported in this paper for the first time in Tunisia, where it was found in several locations. It is a pest of cucurbits of economic importance and is common especially in the eastern and southern parts of Africa. D. frontalis was collected from infested cucumber fruits in the region of El‐Jebil (Kairouan) and female bait traps for the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata and the olive fly Bactrocera oleae. Preliminary data from Tunisia suggest that D. frontalis is already established in four regions in which cucurbits are important crops. Brief notes on the diagnostic features for the species, its ecology and geographic distribution are given. Symptoms on cucumber from Tunisia are presented.     

Molecular characterization of two papaya ringspot virus isolates that cause devastating symptoms in Norte de Santander,Colombia

Papaya ringspot virus is an RNA virus that belongs to the genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae and affects both papaya and cucurbits, causing great economic losses. PRSV isolates are divided into biotypes P and W; both biotypes naturally infect plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, whereas the P type also naturally infects papaya (Carica papaya L). In the present study, we report the full-length genome sequence of two PRSV-P isolates sampled from the Campo Hermoso (PRSV-CH) and Villa del Rosario (PRSV-VR) localities in Norte de Santander, Colombia. The genomes of these PRSV isolates are 10,326 nt in length and have a predicted ORF of 3344 aa. The identity among Colombian PRSV isolates is 96.9% and 97.3% at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid levels, respectively. PRSV isolates from China had the lowest identity at 78.3% and 89.2% (nucleotide-amino acid), whereas the highest identities were detected in PRSV isolates from Mexico, Venezuela and Hawaii. At the polyprotein level, the amino acid composition surrounding the active polyprotein cleavage sites differ in the Colombian PRSV sequences. The predicted cleavage site in P1/HC-Pro is LEQY/N – LEQY/S instead of MEQY/N. Both of the Colombian PRSV isolates have a putative recombination event in the P1 coding region, which is common in all PRSV isolates from the American continent. The new full-length PRSV sequences from Colombia provide a better understanding of the dynamics of papaya ringspot virus infections in papaya in Colombia and worldwide.