Causal Agent:
Tospovirus (Watermelon silver mottle virus or WSMoV)
| Transmission and Spread: | |
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The virus is transmitted in nature by thrips species, Thrips palmi in a persistent (propagative) manner (vector can acquire and transmit the virus after feeding for several minutes to hours; virus replicates inside the vector). |
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Young thrips (larval stage) acquire the virus and adult thrips spread the virus from plant to plant during feeding. |
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The virus is not seed-transmitted. |
| Management and Control: | |
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Use resistant varieties, if available.
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Use virus-free seedlings.
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Remove infected plants as early as virus symptoms are observed to prevent/minimize spread of the virus by thrips. |
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Remove crop debris, weeds and other sources of thrips after the cropping season. |
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Plowing and harrowing may help reduce vector population in the soil. |
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Apply insecticides like spinosad (e.g. SuccessⓇ, EntrustⓇ), deltamethrin (e.g. Decis®, DecideⓇ, ScoutⓇ, Agro DeltametrinⓇ), acephate (e.g. Acetam®, BlackhawkⓇ) or dimethoate (e.g. Perfecthion®), fenitrothion (e.g. Sumithion 50Ⓡ). |
| References: | |
| EPPO Datasheet on Quarantine Pests. Watermelon silver mottle tospovirus (http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/virus/Watermelon_silver_mottle_virus/WMSM...) | |
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