goldtech said:


Hi,

I think there's a virus killing my winter and summer squash. The
leaves have yellow spots and they are curling, growth is stunted.

Does anyone know a source of non-gmo virus resistant seeds? Or variety
names I can search for that are resistant?

Infected plants should be removed immediately. Virus can be spread from
plant to plant during handling, so thorough cleanup after handling infected
plants is neccessary.

If it is Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), all commercially available cultivars
are susceptible. There are no resistant varieties. Some varieties of
summer squash with the "precocious yellow" gene are described as
resistant, but the "resistance" is only in the sense that the fruit is less
likely to show the discoloration typical of the virus.

Winter weeds like chickweed can act as a reservoir for CMV and carry it
in their seeds. A number of perennial weeds can act as a reservoir for
CMV.

Aphids are the main vector for the virus (early in the season). Aphids
are also the vectors for Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV), which, like
CMV, overwinters in weeds.

Perennial weeds suspected of acting as reservoirs for the viruses
mentioned include black nightshade, milkweeds, and some clovers
and other legumes.

Controlling aphids and eliminating problematic weeds is your primary
defense against these viruses.

Squash Mosaic Virus is seed-born in muskmelons and cucumber beetles
carry it (as well as bacterial wilt disease) to other curcurbits.


--
Pat in Plymouth MI

"Yes, swooping is bad."

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