Re: seeds from fruit with mosaic virus
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: seeds from fruit with mosaic virus
- From: P* S* T*
- Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 16:20:00 -0500
- List-Archive: <http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/> (Web Archive)
Steve,
This thread roused my curiosity. So I went out and did a HotBot search on
"mosaic virus". There's quite a bit of information on the Internet on
mosaic viruses. I will not pretend to understand most of it nor will I
pretend that this should be considered as thoroughly researching the problem.
According to the Research School of Biological Sciences at the Australian
National University website, squash mosaic virus is transmitted "by a
vector. Virus transmitted by mechanical inoculation; transmitted by seed
(c. 10% in Cucumis melo and up to 35% in Cucurbita pepo)".
http://www.res.bbsrc.ac.uk/mirror/auz/ICTVdB/18010015.htm#Transmission
Granted, AGs are not cucurbita pepo. However, if a close relative of an AG
can transmit the virus through fully a third of infected seed, it's not
much of a stretch in my (according to you, paranoid) mind to believe a
similar result might be found in cucurbita maxima.
Now, knowing your attention to detail, I assume you already have had your
plant tested and you know which variety of mosaic with which you are
dealing. There seem to be many that can infect pumpkins -- each with a
different transmission method. Which do you have?
Your termite analogy, unfortunately, does not stand up well. There are
known remedies for termites; they are controllable. What is the remedy for
mosaic? You've done the research. Enlighten me, please. I really want to know.
Personally, until I see some proof that seeds cannot (no, not just "are not
likely to") transmit mosaic to my garden, I will avoid any and all suspect
seeds.
Paul
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
