Concerns are being raised amongst growers in El Ejido, Spain, as the New Delhi virus, which forced hundreds of growers to destroy their courgette plantations last autumn, is starting to appear in some melon plants.
Growers have not been caught by surprise, as when the outbreak affecting courgettes was studied, experts alerted about the possibility of melons, and to a lower extent, watermelons, also being affected in the spring, and it appears they were right, as although Andalusia's Government reports a low number of cases, experts and technicians confirm that it has spread to between 10 and 15% of the plantations.
The virus does not attack an entire plantation, but starts appearing in some plants, and unless action is taken, it starts to spread. This is why growers quickly remove all infected plants, not before looking for any signs of the presence of white flies.
"Growers are brave, especially those who are part of cooperatives," explains Juanfran RodrÃguez, field agent and Cantaloupe melon expert, who admits that "one out of three growers have confirmed they will abandon melons."
Those who have decided to plant will also do things differently. "Protection measures are normally simpler; it isn't normal for 'double greenhouses' to be seen in February," explains Juanfran, referring to the double ceilings and nettings installed at most greenhouses where melons are to be grown.
Just one in every ten growers used to take every protection measure, but the New Delhi threat has driven the great majority to almost create a greenhouse within a greenhouse, as the presence of white flies, the virus' carrier, will increase as temperatures become warmer. Growers are also concerned about the time when bumblebees will have to be introduced and the nettings let open, which will certainly prove tricky.
Costs
On top of the risk entailed by the crops potentially being affected by the virus, the protection measures in place are also expensive. Experts estimate the necessary investment to attempt isolating the crop from the virus at around 2,000 Euro per hectare. Taking into account that the average revenue obtained from a hectare planted with melons amounts to between 12,000 and 15,000 Euro, it is surely no small investment.
Source: ideal.es