There has been a positive test for CGMMV on cucumber and watermelon seedlings received by NT DPIF for the field trials. As part of normal processes, 30 watermelon and 30 cucumber seedlings were tested for CGMMV using PCR testing. Three watermelon samples and one cucumber sample tested positive for the virus. Repeat testing was carried out and an additional 150 seedlings (cucumber and watermelon) were also tested. These results were negative for CGMMV.
As the nursery is based in Queensland, Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) was notified and have undertaken surveillance on the nursery and carried out testings of samples of seedlings from the same seed batch. BQ tested the remaining cucumber seedlings at the nursery (there were no remaining watermelon seedlings). These all tested negative. As a precaution, BQ are following up with surveillance on farms that may have received any seedlings from the same batches.
At this stage, there has only been one positive test (the original PCR test in the NT) and the samples then tested negative numerous times in both Qld and NT. So growers should not be concerned until more information is available but still maintain a high level of on-farm biosecurity.
Soil testing in NT
Testing to determine the presence or absence of CGMMV in soils of quarantined NT farms is continuing. The trial on a Darwin farm will be sampled for CGMMV soon. Field trials for sampling are still to be planted in Katherine. NT DPIF will also conduct soil tests and a pot trial with soil from properties which have had the presence of CGMMV confirmed. It is planned that results from the testing will be known in December, and it is hopeful that affected growers will be able to commence growing again in the 2016 season.
For more information:
Dianne Fullelove
Australian Melon Association Inc
Email: idp@melonsaustralia.org.au
www.melonsaustralia.org.au/home






Announcements
Job Offers
- Retail Key Account Manager
- Sales Representative Southeastern US
- Bedding and Perennials Sales Manager Europe
- Horticultural Technician
- Agronomist
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Tissue Culture Laboratory Scientist
- Manager Operations & Logistics
- Vegetable Advisor (Permanent)
- Horticultural Commercial Director
"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 - yesterday
Top 5 - last week
- 10% increase of tomato production in the new Looije greenhouses
- How growers boost crop yields with greenhouse film EVO AC®
- Stronger plants & higher production with autonomous growing in Mexico
- AU: Provenance Propagation construction close to completion
- Thanks to air-conditioned greenhouses, Emirati producers can grow tomatoes during 45 °C summer
Top 5 - last month
- Japanese Berry Pop fresh strawberry seeds now available for global markets
- 10% increase of tomato production in the new Looije greenhouses
- Kuwait: Aeroponic greenhouse to continue country's effort to cut down import
- A greenhouse full of cherry blossoms in Hungary
- Combining aquaponics and hydroponics in a 2 hectare Bahrain facility
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-03-24 Mass media campaigns can be effective in promoting safer crop pest and disease control
- 2023-03-22 Stinkier than usual: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in North Carolina
- 2023-03-22 What role do weeds play in the transmission of ToBRFV?
- 2023-03-22 "Growing media with Bacillus Pumilus suppresses the growth of root disease pathogens"
- 2023-03-22 Eupeodes-System: early season aphid control
- 2023-03-20 A nose for trouble – sniffing out plant pests
- 2023-03-17 Thrip protection and prevention of excessive humidity
- 2023-03-16 Biological control meeting to take place in Brest
- 2023-03-15 Producer and developer of bumblebees and beneficial insects collaborate
- 2023-03-14 ToBRFV affects Southwestern Ontario tomato crops
- 2023-03-14 New protein-based biosensor detects potato and tomato crop disease
- 2023-03-13 A parasitoid against green stink bugs
- 2023-03-13 "We believe pesticides do not belong in the human body"
- 2023-03-13 Dr. Lara Ramaekers to lead Biobest’s biopesticides team
- 2023-03-09 "Four departments minimize risk of cross-contamination"
- 2023-03-07 "Soil grown strawberries thrive on Vidi Funda"
- 2023-03-07 “We don’t want to give viruses a chance”
- 2023-03-07 How to prevent tomato leafminer outbreaks when spring comes
- 2023-03-01 First record of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Slovakia
- 2023-03-01 UV lights may help farmers vanquish deadly cantaloupe pathogen