Cucumber virus found on Queensland melon farm
In a statement, Biosecurity Queensland said it appears to be an isolated case at one location and is the first time CGMMV had been found in Queensland.
CGMMV affects cucurbit species, such as cucumber, melons, watermelon, bitter-gourd, bottle gourd, zucchini, pumpkin and squash.
Biosecurity Queensland says it is moving quickly and working with the property owner to ensure the infection remains confined at this site.
The virus brought the Northern Territory’s $63 million melon industry to a near standstill when it was discovered there in September last year.
A total of 16 properties were confirmed to have the disease.
Following the Northern detection, Biosecurity Queensland has conducted surveillance on selected properties in all major cucurbit growing areas and of specific properties based on tracing information provided by the response program in the NT.
The Charters Towers property was surveyed after a line of seeds returned a positive result.
“Imported cucurbit seeds were identified as a potential source of the CGMMV outbreak in the Northern Territory, and while the Australian Government has since tightened conditions on imported seeds, in this case it is believed the seeds would have been imported before this occurred,” the BQ statement said.
Australian Melon Association industry development officer Dianne Fullelove told ABC Radio on Tuesday that it was too early to determine if the Charters Towers finding came from a Territory farm, or from a Queensland nursery.
"We're not totally sure how long the virus has been there, but it may have had it for up to four or five months," she said.
"Queensland is the biggest melon growing state in Australia, so it's a huge risk, but it's a huge risk to all of Australia.
"It affects most cucurbits, such as pumpkins, but the pumpkins don't show the symptoms so you can still market the fruit.
Source: www.theland.com.au
