Management of seed-borne viruses in cucurbits

Seed is one of the most important source of primary inoculum of the viral diseases. The present investigations were conducted to work out the strategies for reducing the seed-borne virus inoculum associated with the cucurbits. Seeds taken from the infected vines were sown at different depths and treated with different concentrations of salicylic acid and oxalic acid for different durations under insect-proof conditions and were observed for the disease incidence and disease severity. The significant reduction in disease incidence and severity was observed when the seeds were sown 6 cm deep into the soil but it also reduced the germination percentage significantly. The treatment of the seeds with salicylic acid and oxalic acid improved seed germination percentage and reduced the disease incidence, however, the significant results were observed when the seeds were treated at 10 mM concentration for 10 minutes with these chemicals.