Cucumber Mottle Mosaic Virus (PUB14 287)
An
incursion of the plant disease Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus
(CGMMV) was reported in a watermelon crop in the Northern Territory in
late October 2014. Since then several melon farms in the Darwin and
Katherine area have been confirmed as having CGMMV.
The Northern
Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries has put into
place strict containment strategies and control measures for the
movement of watermelons out of the controlled areas. The intent of the
National Management Group for Exotic Plant Pests is to have a
containment and possible response plan enacted to eradicate the disease
from Australia.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
has also introduced legislation in line with other jurisdictions
limiting the movement of watermelon and other cucurbit host plants,
plant material, soil that has contained host plant material, used
equipment and packaging.
Producers are encouraged to be vigilant
of existing crops and also be aware of the possibility of introducing
infected plant material, machinery or packaging to their properties.
While
NGI is an "affected party" under the Deed we are not directly involved
and our members (growers of plants) are not destroying crops etc.
- Virus is thought to be seed borne (yet to be confirmed)
- We do not know how many seeds are in the country and where they are from.
- Govt has strengthened testing requirements for cucurbit seed prio to importation effective 22 Oct.
- Other States have been requested to do trace testing but no results as yet.
- Pathogen is relatively widespread overseas and has had major impacts on crops.
For any more information please contact Michael Danelon, NGINA IDO.