B. DIKOVA and D. HRISTOVA
Plant Protection Institute, BG-2230 Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
DIKOVA, B. and D. HRISTOVA, 2005. Detection of squash mosaic virus (SqMV), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in melon seeds. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 11: 49-59
ACP-ELISA was tested and proved suitable for detection of seed transmitted viruses in melon - Squash mosaic virus (SqMV), Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Virus pathogens were found in seed germs and cotyledons, seedlings (2-4 and 12-14-leaf stage), reproductive organs (non-blossomed flower buds, stamens) and the developed small fruits of melon hybrids and varieties, common in Bulgaria. The highest content of SqMV, ZYMV and CMV were found in seed germs of Hybrid A15 fruit with natural infection and pronounced mosaic spots of the fruits. The screening of seeds of varieties melon sold on the market as well as selected samples showed high percentage of all three viruses. It is recommended to use germs or whole germinated seeds for analysis for the purpose of quick detection of seed transmitted viruses in melon.