Presenza di un ceppo necrogenico di watermelon mosaic virus in colture di melone giallo in sicilia

In the spring of 2011, a necrotic disease was observed in yellow melon plants grown in western Sicily (Italy). An infection of Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) was detected and transmitted to herbaceous hosts, using infected tissues collected from young and mature leaves and from symptomatic fruits. Analyses based on molecular hybridization and observations with the electron microscope excluded the presence of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, Papaya ringspot virus and of viruses with isometric particles. Although based on preliminary evidences, the results of this study suggest that a necrogenic isolate of WMV for which the name of WMV-Si is proposed, was involved in the severe disease observed on yellow melon plants.