Reaction of Muskmelon Collections to Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus

Abstract

Abstract In a preliminary trial 187 collections of muskmelon comprising dessert and non‐dessert types and wild Cucumis species were screened against cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) under field conditions. Based on the reaction to CGMMV, 64 were studied further in detail. Thirteen collections were found to be resistant in two field screenings (summer and rainy seasons). Results on screening under artificial conditions against pure isolate of CGMMV indicated that Cucumis figarei , C. myriocarpus 1, C. myriocarpus 3, C. africanus 1, C. africanus 2, C. meeusii, C. ficifolius and C. zeyheri 2 were resistant to virus. Immune nature of resistance was later confirmed by back inoculation technique and, transmission electron microscopic study of C. figarei, C. ficifolius, C. meeusii, C. africanus 1 and C. zeyheri 2. Phoot ( C. melo var. momordica ) and Kachri (non‐dessert types), FM 1 and FM 2 (Cornell breeding lines) and C,. myriocarpus 2 were also resistant to CGMMV with very mild symptoms.