Koren, A. and Klein, E. - Histhil nurseries, Moshav Nehalim, Israel

Tobamoviruses are stable viruses primarily transmitted mechanically via planting procedures. These viruses are seed borne. Infected seeds and plant debris constitute two sources of primary infection that contaminates the soil. Soil contamination may be transmitted through contact to wounded roots, via attachment to first leaves and via irrigation water. Implementing “cautious planting” in which planting procedure is divided between workers, reduces the infectivity ratio by at least two folds. Concomitant engagement of “cautious planting” and soil disinfection reduces infectivity ratio by eight folds. Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) resistant F1 hybrid rootstocks reduce the CGMMV disease spread from contaminated soil by up to 35 folds. The results of our study indicate that implementation of at least two preventive approaches is recommended in order to achieve a substantial reduction in tobamovirus disease spread. © 2019 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.