RE: CMV?
>Tom,
>
>Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) is just one of many mosaic viruses that can
>infect pumpkins and squash. The problem with mosaic viruses is there are no
>cures available once an infection has begun. The only cure is to isolate
>and
>kill the patient -- not a pleasant thought after you've put so much labor,
>thought and money into the plant. Unfortunately, it's the only way to
>eliminate the problem. The disease cannot be managed.
>
>The viruses are transmitted in a variety of ways, including some seed
>transmission -- no matter what some would have you believe. Mostly, insects
>spread it. Covering your plants early in the season and applying proper
>insecticides at appropriate times will reduce, but not eliminate, your
>pumpkin's chances of infection. Keeping weeds down will help, as well.
>
>Not all varieties of pumpkin and squash are susceptible to all strains of
>mosaic. Here are a few Websites that might help you understand more about
>the problem:
>
>http://www.backyardgardener.com/wcgp/problems/mosaic.html
>
>http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/ipm/fruits/cucurbit/cucurbit_mgtrec.html#Viral
>
>http://phylogeny.arizona.edu/hypermail/vegnews/0024.html
>
>http://image.fs.uidaho.edu/vide/descr267.htm#Range
>
>There are others on this list who know far more about mosaic viruses than
>I.
>It is generally accepted (obviously not by all) that mosaic infested plants
>need to be destroyed -- burned -- at the first sign of infection. We owe it
>to ourselves and other growers to ensure that mosaic isn't spread
>throughout
>the pumpkin community, even when it hurts.
>
>Fortunately, there are many, many seeds available from known sources that
>are mosaic-free. We don't need to risk planting possibly infected seeds
>because of the wide availability of good seeds.
>
>Paul Thompson
>Armada, Michigan
>
Paul, most of the info you are giving is correct, but some is misleading and
some is absolutely false. Before posting information like that, please check
your facts.
Right off, I just want to make clear again that I never offered any seeds
form a virus infected plant, you MISREAD my post. I get the feeling that
this point has still not been cleared up (with you, anyway).
Second, your statement about virus transmission via seed....where have you
been for the last year? Dr. Eddleman as well as several others said that the
virus even being present and active in seeds is NOT LIKELY. There has NOT
been ONE RECORDED CASE of CMV being transmitted via seed. NOT ONE. So that
statement you make may be your own theory (based on what research, I don't
know), but please do not state it as a fact, because it is not.
As for controlling the virus, you are certainly right, there is no cure that
exists today for it. But destroying the plants really does not rid you of
virus problems. CMV is spread only by an intrusive physical vector, such as
a chewing insect, or pruning tools, etc. To stop spread, the #1 thing you
need to do is to prevent any vectors from coming in contact with infected
plant matter then with another plant, not simply "destroy" anything
infected. Simply pulling and burning plants with no further control is what
is irresponsible. This does not directly address the way the virus spreads
at all. Sure, pulling and burning will certainly reduce the odds, but there
is always plant matter and roots left in the soil no matter how thorough the
pulling is. If pulled and the growing area is left exposed, insects can
still transmit the virus from the debris. The key is ISOLATION. PLants
destroyed or not, the area should be sprayed and sealed off for the
remaining growing (insect) season so nothing can get in and if they do
somehow, they will not get out.
I have talked to many many poeple (not just pumpkin growers but others) who
do not destroy their plants if they contract CMV late in the season. (After
fruit set). Since the fruit isn;t usually affected if contracted late, they
just finish off the crop. Now *I* personally don't agree with this, unless
the infected plants are immediately sealed off. I went thorugh a lot of
expense in sealing off my plants that were infected. They were sprayed with
powerful chemical combos, sealed with floating row cover, then they were
enclosed in an airtight plastic tenting with ventilation coming from
filtered air ducts, and temperature control by thermostat, etc. None of the
plants were handled the same day as the others, and when they were, I put on
a jumper, dispoable rubber gloves, and did surgical scrubs with Hibiclens
after handling, and everythign was washed and disinfected with bleach after,
as well (and ONLY used for the infected plants).
I think the measure I took went WAY above and beyond simply pulling the
plants. WHY I went through all of this when I probably wouldn't even get a
decent pumpkin out of it? It woudl take a long time to explain, but it took
over a year of research to hand pick these specific genetic strains to grow
and cross, and the supply of these seeds is very limited. I wanted the seeds
for my own experimentation also. There are dozens of othewr reasons as well,
but the fact is I went above and beyond what most anyone would do to stop
the spread of the virus. So I really would appreciate it if certain people
would stop referring to me as a virus monger. I should get praise, if
anything, for all of the effort I went through to directly stop the virus
from spreading. People who simply rip out the plants without spraying and
sealing off the infected area are the ones who should get "reprimanded" for
having such a simple-minded solution to the problem which doesn't even
directly target the cause.
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