Cucumber vein yellowing virus

Pathogen and disease type. Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV) is a destructive plant pathogen belonging to the Ipomovirus genus within the Potyviridae family. It is a systemic viral infection that primarily impairs the vascular system of plants, leading to severe physiological disruptions and growth arrest.

Host crops. This virus primarily affects cucumber plants, but its host range also includes various cucurbits such as melons, pumpkins, and squash. Weeds belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family are critical in the epidemiology of the virus, serving as perennial reservoirs that facilitate carry-over between growing seasons.

Symptoms and signs. The characteristic symptom of the infection is the yellowing of leaf veins, which creates a distinct mosaic-like or netting pattern. As the disease progresses, infected plants exhibit stunted growth, shortened internodes, and significant foliage deformation, which drastically reduces the photosynthetic capacity of the plant.

Development and transmission. The virus is transmitted in a semi-persistent manner by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The spread of the disease is strictly dependent on the whitefly population density; therefore, outbreaks are most severe in protected cropping environments where warm temperatures and high humidity promote the rapid multiplication of the insect vector.

Harmfulness and protection measures. CVYV infection results in significant yield losses due to fruit distortion, reduced fruit size, and poor quality, often rendering the harvest unmarketable. Management strategies focus on controlling the whitefly population using integrated pest management (IPM), applying strict sanitation in greenhouses, removing symptomatic plants immediately, and utilizing virus-resistant hybrids.