A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Thu 30 May 2024
Source: Chtouka Press [in Arabic, machine trans., summ. Mod.DHA, edited]
https://www.chtoukapress.com/277848.html/


According to farmers in Taroudant area, a "mysterious virus" has affected watermelon, cucumbers and squash in terms of colour, taste and appearance, with fruit becoming yellowish. Those affected are calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to send a scientific committee to find out the causes and circumstances of the problem and determine responsibilities. They are also demanding that they be compensated for the losses they incurred due to this "mysterious virus."

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Communicated by:
ProMED

[A large number of pathogens can affect cucurbit crops, which include melons and cucumbers (_Cucumis_ spp.); watermelon (_Citrullus lanatus_); and squashes, gourds, pumpkins (_Cucurbita_ spp.). Although in the story above a "virus" is being claimed as the cause of the issue, in the absence of a scientific diagnosis this term may have been used indiscriminately to indicate any kind of infectious or even environmental crop problem.

Reliable diagnosis of any pathogens affecting the crops will be essential for designing suitable management strategies for the farmers. The problems above may also be due to a combination of pathogens and/or other factors.

Pictures
Symptoms of some cucurbit diseases via:
https://www.ipmimages.org/browse/bareas.cfm?domain=12

Links
List of major diseases and pathogens of cucurbits:
https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/resources/commonnames/Pages/Cucurbits.aspx
Cucurbit taxonomy and list of genera:
https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(86)90007-5 and
https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=22337#null
- Mod.DHA

ProMED map:
Morocco: https://promedmail.org/promed-post?place=8716962,41]

See Also

2022
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Undiagnosed disease, muskmelon - Taiwan 20221130.8706984
Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus: emerging pathogen 20220318.8702057
2021
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Undiagnosed disease, watermelon - India: (OR) 20210408.8297155
2020
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Undiagnosed stem rot, gourd - Bangladesh: (RS) 20201026.7890240
2019
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Fusarium wilts, cucurbits - Pakistan: (SD) 20190612.6515954
Undiagnosed virus, pumpkin - Bangladesh: (RP) 20190529.6492518
2016
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Undiagnosed disease, watermelon - Bangladesh: (BA) 20160324.4115462
2014
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Cucumber green mottle mosaic, watermelon - Australia (02): 1st rep (NT) 20141009.2844854
2012
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Cucumber mosaic virus, muskmelon - India: (PB) susp. 20120509.1128172
2011
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Cucumber mosaic virus & mildew, muskmelon - India: (PB) 20110505.1385
and additional items on cucurbit diseases in the archives

Website: http://www.isid.org

Published: June 11, 2024