Pumpkin viruses

CC: to Pumpkin List

Dear Barb Kincaid

I have been slow replying to your questions about pumpkin viruses. While
study and testing for viruses of small fruits has been a big part of my
work during the last 15 years, I have never before advised anyone on
Pumpkin viruses. Therefore, it will take me some time to come up with
specific info and I will start some pages on pumpkin viruses on my web
site at http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab/pk.htm 

http://image.fs.uidaho.edu/vide/famly050.htm lists the species of the
Cucurbit family (Atlantic Giant is C. maxima). Go down the list to C.
maxima and there you will find a list of ~40 viruses which have been
found to attack C. maxima. Then comes a list of ~40 viruses which do not
attack C. maxima. 

Barb, you asked me specifically about mosaic virus. Mosaic is a sort of
catchall name for plant viruses, but it does mean a specific virus when
the name is given in full. Notice at the above URL you find "Cucumber
mosaic cucumovirus" listed as causing damage to Cucurbita maxima. You
will notice it is underlined as a link to the URL:
http://image.fs.uidaho.edu/vide/descr267.htm [notice further down the
list is Squash mosaic comovirus which you will want to look at also].

  You will find lots of info at descr267. We find it is seed transmitted
in 19 species, but seed transmission is variable. That seed transmission
is a real shock to me--I was hoping against that. 
  Under strains, you find there are many known strains:
"numerous, the better known include: A-CMV, E-CMV, L-CMV, N-CMV, P-CMV,
Z-CMV and WAI/WAII; there seem to be two antigenic groups, ToRS and DTL
(Devergne, 1975)."
  Under transmission you find:
"Transmission

Transmitted by a vector; an insect; more than 60 spp. including
Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aphis craccivora and Myzus persicae; Aphididae.
Transmitted in a non-persistent manner. Virus transmitted by mechanical
inoculation; transmitted by seed (in 19 species, but in variable
extents)." 
  It is primarily transmitted by certain aphids. I know Myzus persicae,
the green peach aphid, and it attacks many species of plants and is
really good at transmitting viruses. Some viruses can grow inside the
aphid and be transmitted for a long time. "Non-persisent" means this
virus does not grow inside aphids. after hours or a day or so the
contaminated aphid will no longer be infective. Sap transmission is
slightly worrisome. Perhaps the virus could be transmitted from plant to
plant by the gardener. In particular, pruning vines might transmit this
virus. The URL does not say that. The authors probably did not think
about folks pruning vines. 
  I am certainly going to be very careful about pruning. 1 volume of
chlorox + 9 volumes of clean water is the standard disinfectant used in
AIDS laboratories. I have used that on pruning shears and they lasted
about one day (the spring on the shears rusted away in a few days). If
you only have a few vines, you can consider pruning them on different
days using a stainless steel knife, chlorox and soap. Remember your
hands will carry the virus. You could wear rubber gloves and wash them
in chlorox and soap. Drying will kill some viruses but not all.  
  We commonly identify viruses by there action on certain indicator
plants. That information is given under:
"Diagnostically susceptible host species and symptoms 

     Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa - chlorotic local lesions. 
     Cucumis sativus - systemic mosaic. 
     Vigna unguiculata - necrotic local lesions. 
     Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana &KHgr; edwardsonii, N. glutinosa, N.
tabacum -
     symptoms depend on virus strain."
----- 
  I will someday have a web site written to introduce the general reader
to viruses and experiments for k-12 and amateur scientists. I have
barely begun my bacterial virus site at
http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab/p.htm
-----
  I have just started my Pumpkin genetics site at 
http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab/pk.htm and I welcome your ideas on
what you want to know about pumpkin genetics. My site is about the genes
and genome of AG and potentially useful mating systems (but very little
is known in terms that we can use). Learning such things is costly. I am
interested in the possibility that by gathering bits and pieces from
growers here and there we can make some good guesses about AG genome,
but that is not very likely--I hope we can give it a try. Since orange
color is so important, I should think we would concentrate on color at
first. We already know from the Curcurbits Genetics Cooperative that 3
or 4 genes are required to get orange color.  
  Go to Ned's and other sites for pedigrees and progeny results. I do
not plan any such data on my site. 
Harold Eddleman Ph.D. Microbiologist.       i*@disknet.com 
Location: Palmyra IN USA; 36 kilometers west of Louisville, Kentucky
http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab = Agriculture, science projects
and info for amateurs, gardeners, farmers, teachers, kids
http://wwbbs.otherside.com/PUBLIC/HOMEPAGE/haroldeddleman_303/INDEX.HTM
  Home Science Projects: fun for parent and child, Computer programs 
http://ibl.webjump.com/ger.htm <== Simple german for beginners.



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