VIRUSES OF PUMPKIN (CUCURBITA-MOSCHATA) IN WEST BENGAL

Pumpkins (C. moschata Poir.) grown in West Bengal, India, are susceptible to a large number of virus diseases. Nine different isolates were obtained from infected plants collected in the fields. Physical properties (thermal inactivation, dilution end point, aging in vitro, particle length, etc.), host range, transmissibility and serological relationships of all isolates were studied. Of these isolates, A1 and A2 were identified as strains of bottlegourd mosaic virus. Isolate A3 was a strain of [cucumber] vein yellowing virus. Isolates A4 and A6 were strains of Curcurbit latent virus. Isolate A5 was identified as a strain of Cucurbit mosaic virus and isolate A7 as a strain of Watermelon mosaic virus 1. Isolates A8 and A9 were 2 new viruses of curcurbitaceous crops and were designated as pumpkin enation mosaic virus and pumpkin mild mosaic virus.