Journal of Clinical Trials
Open Access

Abstract

Multiple Important Plant Viruses Are Present On Vegetable Crops in Kuwait

Ebtisam M Al-Ali, Al-Hashash H, Al-Aqeel H and Ben Hejji A

Plant virus diseases are wide-spread in Kuwait and cause significant economic losses in many crops. Four plant families, including Cucurbitaceae (cucumber, squash, melon, zucchini), Solanaceae (tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant), Liliaceae (onion) and Leguminosaea (bean) were surveyed for viruses by ELISA from December 2007 through May 2008. The survey was conducted on six farms located in the two main production areas, Wafra and Abdally agricultural districts. Each farm was visited four times during the production season. Eighteen plant viruses were detected, including Cucumber mosaic virus, Garlic common latent virus, Iris yellow spot virus, Onion yellow dwarf virus, Melon necrotic spot virus, Papaya ringspot virus, Pepino mosaic virus, Pepper mild mottle virus, Potato moptop virus, Potato virus M, Potato virus X, Potato virus Y, Squash mosaic virus, Tomato mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Watermelon mosaic virus, and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus. Virus incidence was close to 100% on some crops, including cucurbit and onions and double or triple infections were common. Several important viruses were not found, including Potato virus A, Potato virus S, Potato leafroll virus, and Potato virus V.