Epidemiology and Management of Mosaic of Cucumber

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumissativus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops of the family Cucurbitaceae, grown extensively in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the country. Cucumber production is greatly hampered by Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV). CMV is transmitted by mechanical inoculation and by aphid vectors in non-persistent manner. A survey was conducted in Jammu division to assess the status of the disease and the result revealed that disease incidence was maximum (34.66 %)in Bishnahof Jammu district and minimum (21.33 %)in Hirangar of Kathua district during 2019 while during 2020, maximum disease incidence of 36.00 per cent was recordedfrom Akhnoorof Jammu district and minimum 20.00 per centwas recorded from Hirangar of Kathua district. CMV was detected serologically through DAS-ELISA in the samples collected from all the locations surveyed during both the years. Biochemical analysis of different germplasm of cucumber revealed that total sugar and chlorophyll content were higher in resistant germplasm as compared to the susceptible ones whereas total soluble protein and total phenol content were higher in susceptible germplasm as compared to resistant ones. Host range study revealed that except Solanummelongena (brinjal), all other hosts (chilli, bottlegourd, tomato, bitter gourd, watermelon and muskmelon) were susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus. Epidemiological studies revealed that maximum and minimum temperature showed significant and positive correlation whereas relative humidity (maximum and minimum) showed negative correlation with disease intensity during both the years. However average rainfall showed non-significant negative correlation with the disease development. Temperature (maximum and minimum) also showed positive correlation with aphid population while relative humidity (maximum and minimum) and rainfall showed negative correlation during both the years. During the screening of different cucumber germplasm against cucumber mosaic disease, it was found that out of forty germplasm, two germpla