A
ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 20 May 2008
Source: Topnews India, Asian News International (ANI) report
[edited]
<http://www.topnews.in/farmers-face-heavy-losses-due-crop-damage-kapurthala-242818>
Farmers face heavy losses due to crop damage in Kapurthala
Farmers in Punjab's Kapurthala District are facing heavy losses
as outbreak of viral disease has lead to large-scale damage of
muskmelon crop. Kapurthala is one of the largest producers of
muskmelons in the state.
The viral disease has led not only to stunted growth of the
muskmelons, but also rotting them on the field itself. "I had
cultivated muskmelons on an area of 4 acres (1.6 ha) and most of
it has been destroyed due to the outbreak of a viral disease
which has also hampered the growth of the melons and spoilt
them," said Ranjeet Singh, a farmer.
The losses are so large that they have not been able to even
recover their initial cost and now want the State Government to
assist them financially. According to the experts, the farmers
have faced estimated losses worth about INR 500 million [about
USD 11.6 million] due to the damage to the muskmelon crop.
"Thousands of hectares of area are under muskmelon cultivation
in the region, out of which about 70-90 percent of the
cultivation is lost. So, if we calculate roughly even at INR 25
000 [USD 581] loss per hectare, then according to the estimate,
farmers in Kapurthala have faced a loss of roughly around 500
million rupees," said Manoj Sharma, agriculture expert.
Out of the damaged crop, the muskmelons that make it to the
market have many less buyers, as people prefer to stay away from
the muskmelons. The farmers are now ploughing their fields to
root out the infested crops and prepare the field for a new crop
other than muskmelons.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[More than 15 viruses are known to infect cucurbits, which
include crops like cucumber, all the different kinds of melons,
squash, and pumpkin. Many of the major viruses affecting these
crops are transmitted by aphid species, and some are spread by
different vectors or with seed. Losses occur through reduction
in growth and yield, and the viruses are often also responsible
for distortion and mottling of fruit, making the produce
unmarketable.
A new strain of _Cucumber mosaic virus_ (CMV) has been reported
previously to cause diseases of muskmelon in Punjab, India
(Sharma et al. 1984, Phytopath. Z. 109, 332-340). _Zucchini
yellow mosaic virus_ (ZYMV) has been reported from the
neighbouring Punjab district in Pakistan on muskmelon and other
cucurbits, with an incidence of about 15 percent (see
ProMED-mail post no. 20050611.1624), and also on cucumber in
other parts of India (see ProMED-mail post no. 20040731.2088).
_Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus_ (CGMMV) was found to affect
muskmelon in several parts of India (Raychaudhuri & Varma 1978,
Phytopath. Z. 93, 120-5). It is not clear from the report above
which virus may be causing the current outbreak. Furthermore,
the current muskmelon crop in Punjab has also been affected by
downy mildew (see recent ProMED-mail post no. 20080411.1322).
Maps
India:
<http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/images/IndiaMap_tourism.gif>
and
<http://healthmap.org/promed?v=22.9,79.6,5>
Punjab districts:
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/punjab/punjab-district.htm>
Pictures
Photo gallery of virus symptoms on cucurbits:
<http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/PhotoPages/Cucurbit/CucViruses/CucVirPhotoList.htm>
ZYMV leaf curl on muskmelon:
<http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/july2005/2005-42-1.jpg>
Melon field affected by ZYMV:
<http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/july2005/2005-42-2.jpg>
Links
Alternative links for the story:
<http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=62550>
and
<http://www.thecheers.org/news/South-Asia/news_24306_Farmers-face-heavy-losses-due-to-crop-damage-in-Kapurthala.html>
Viruses of cucurbits, fact sheet with pictures:
<http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Viruses_Cucurbits.htm>
List of viruses (and other pathogens) affecting cucurbits:
<http://www.apsnet.org/online/common/names/cucurbit.asp>
CMV on cucurbits and other hosts:
<http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/type/cucvir.htm>
ZYMV Punjab, Pakistan:
<http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/july2005/2005-42.asp>
Descriptions and taxonomy of all ICTV-recognised viruses via:
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/Ictv/index.htm>.
- Mod.DHA]
[see also in
the
archive:
Downy mildew, cucurbits - India: (PU) 20080411.1322
2005
----
Zucchini yellow mosaic, melon - Pakistan (Punjab) 20050611.1624
2004
----
Yellow mosaic, cucumber- India: 1st report 20040731.2088] |
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