Identification and management of Cucumber mosaic virus in Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Farms

Echinacea purpurea (L.) is one of the most important and well-known medicinal plants in the world. This powerful herb has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Viral diseases have become a real problem in medicinal plants cultivation. Purple coneflower could be infected by 10 different viruses and almost all of them, such as Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), are considered to be highly harmful and economically effective plant viruses. During a survey in 2018, purple coneflower plants with yellow mosaic, mottling and malformation symptoms were observed in some regions of Isfahan province. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted by using specific primers and developed to detect cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in collected samples. Amplification of 867 bp fragment in PCR confirmed the presence of a CMV in symptomatic plants. No band was amplified from healthy control. Cultivation of medicinal plants requires the safety management, in case the application of the chemical substances against the viruses and their vectors is unacceptable. That is why well-timed detection of plant viruses and information about symptoms of diseases, and the main properties of these pathogens is almost the only method of prevention of the viral infections. Therefore, permanent virological inspections, well-timed diagnostics, use of healthy seeds, removal of contaminated plants, is necessary. In addition, weeds, as a potential source of contamination, can have a significant effect on the spread of disease, hence their management is crucial to ensure the prevention and reduction of the risk of the plant diseases.