AU: Positive CGMMV test in Northern Territory

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

Publication date: Mon 28 Sep 2015