Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

• Vegetables: cucurbits

Target Pests

Practices

Problem. Cucurbit production in the United States (U.S.) is significantly impacted by numerous viruses that reduce marketable crop yields and profits. Many of these viruses, including several aphid-transmitted mosaic viruses, have been present for decades and are endemic in various regions of the U.S. Others, including several whitefly-transmitted viruses, are recent introductions and, once established, have rapidly spread throughout U.S. production areas where the vector is present. During the past 25 years, there has been an average of one new virus introduction every four years. In the last two years alone, three new viruses have been identified in U.S. cucurbits: watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 1 (WCLaV-1) and 2 (WCLaV-2) and watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV). The increasing number of viruses impacting U.S. cucurbit production has led to an abundance of mixed virus infections throughout most cucurbit-producing regions. The introduction of additional viruses would not only further impact yield and profitability but would also create additional challenges for disease management, including complicating the development of resistant varieties. Knowledge regarding symptomology and epidemiology of existing viruses as well as critical virus threats remains limited, and methods of detection/identification are not universally practiced across the industry. Furthermore, limited communication among the various sectors of the cucurbit industry slows the rapid identification of new viruses as well as the implementation of containment measures. Improved communication throughout the cucurbit industry and stakeholder education about virus threats and their management, including the importance of rapid action upon the identification of new viruses, is critical to preventing the establishment and spread of newly introduced viruses and sustainable cucurbit production in the U.S. Approach. The Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group (EVCWG), which includes members from all sectors of the cucurbit industry, including academia, government, and private industry, involved with research, production, Extension/outreach, and regulation, representing various areas of expertise and geographic regions was established in 2022 with the mission “to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies to successfully identify and mitigate virus threats to cucurbit production in the United States.” Since its establishment, the EVCWG has held seven working group meetings, identified priorities for key discussion topics, delivered educational presentations to stakeholders, and developed several educational resources, including a website (https://eCucurbitviruses.org), that have reached almost 6,000 stakeholders and increased stakeholder knowledge of emerging viruses in cucurbits. Based on discussions held during EVCWG meetings and feedback from stakeholders, there is a continuing need to carry out the mission of the EVCWG. As a result, the EVCWG will continue to hold quarterly meetings facilitating discussions relevant to the establishment and spread of cucurbit viruses in the U.S. (Objective 1), deliver educational presentations to stakeholders (Objective 3), and develop educational resources (Objective 3). In addition, the EVCWG will evaluate priorities and facilitate the development of new projects to seek funding for additional research and/or outreach activities to address emerging viruses in the U. S. (Objective 1) and will host open live, hybrid or virtual webinars/discussion and open sessions during EVCWG meetings (Objective 2) to create additional opportunities for stakeholder participation and education. Impact. EVCWG educational resources, along with delivered presentations and new educational opportunities, will continue to improve awareness, identification, and management of existing and new viruses across the U. S. cucurbit industry. Ultimately, in carrying out the mission of EVCWG, the cucurbit industry in the U. S. will benefit from improved stability and profitability resulting from decreases in new virus introductions and/or spread and yield losses attributed to virus infection.  

1. Enhance EVCWG efforts to identify and mitigate emerging viruses in cucurbits in the United States

a. Hold quarterly EVCWG meetings (in-person/virtual/hybrid) to connect members of different sectors and regions of the cucurbit industry and promote team building

b. Evaluate priorities to address cucurbit virus threats and their mitigation

c. Develop teams/projects for which to seek additional funding support for research and outreach activities

2. Facilitate additional opportunities for engagement and knowledge sharing with the broader cucurbit community

a. Host live hybrid or virtual webinars/discussions on key topics related to emerging viruses in cucurbits for the broader cucurbit community

b. Host open sessions during EVCWG meetings to allow for stakeholder feedback and participation

3. Educate stakeholders (g. producers, agricultural educators, transplant operations/nurseries, researchers, plant breeders, seed producers, etc.) within the cucurbit industry on emerging viruses through various outreach efforts

a. Develop additional content to the EVCWG webpage to communicate EVCWG initiatives, activities, and resources for outreach and education to stakeholders

b. Develop educational resources, such as online videos, fact sheets, photo guides, and educational postcards, on virus threats to cucurbit production and methods of IPM for virus/vector management

c. Deliver educational presentations to stakeholders on emerging viruses and their management