VIRUSES INFECTING MELON AND WATERMELON IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

The Northeastern Brazil has a great potential for production of melon ( Cucumis melo ) and watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ). More than 20 virus species have been found naturally infecting cucurbit species around the world, but only seven of them were already found infecting those cucurbit crops in Northeastern Brazil. Plant viruses have been identified by several methods involving their morphological, physical, biological, cytological, serological and molecular properties, but serology is one of the most specific and accessible methods to obtain a rapid and precise diagnosis of a plant disease caused by virus. Several serological techniques were developed and the advent of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has facilitated the use of serology in the identification and characterization of plant viruses, including those infecting melon and watermelon. Virus infections in melon and watermelon are considered of great importance because they can seriously affect yield all over the world, mainly in developing countries. The present review describes biological, morphological, serological and molecular properties of important virus species infecting melon and watermelon in commercial fields of Northeastern Brazil. The review covers the virus species from the following family and genera: Potyviridae genus Potyvirus : Papaya ringspot virus type Watermelon; Watermelon mosaic virus and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus ; Bromoviridae genus Cucumovirus : Cucumber mosaic virus ; Secoviridae , Subfamily: Comvirinae, genus Comovirus : Squash mosaic virus and possible viruses that cause yellowing in melon. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.17525/vrr.v17i1-2.60