Evaluation of importance and molecular characterization of Cucumber Mosaic Virus in Cucurbits Fields of Kavar area

Cucumber mosaic virus [CMV] is one of the most important viruses infecting cucurbits worldwide. To study CMV infections in cucurbit fields of Kavar region in Fars province, samples were collected from watermelon, melon and squash plants showing symptoms of mosaic, yellowing, necrotic spots and stunting. A total of 85 samples were collected during spring and summer 2014. The infection of samples was examined using DAS-ELISA and RT–PCR. The serological method confirmed the infection of 40 samples with CMV. The coat protein gene of the virus was amplified by RT-PCR, using primers P1 and P2, which confirmed the results of DAS-ELISA. The amplified genes of three isolates were sequenced and compared with 19 corresponding sequences from Genbank. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA6, by Neighbor-joining method. Sequenced were divided to two separate groups, and all Iranian sequences were placed in group A. The results of this study showed a significant infection with CMV in melon fields of Kavar region which may cause significant yield losses.