Note: Containment ofCucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus (CFMMV) infection through roots by planting into a virus-free intermediating medium

Transfer of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) from Speedling-type polystyrene trays or polystyrene trays with a vacuum-forming insert, into pots filled with perlite infested withCucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus (CFMMV), resulted in high disease incidence. However, when the plants were removed from the trays into condensed peat cells or into perlite sleeves, prior to their introduction into the infested medium, infection by the virus was completely prevented. Our results strongly support the hypothesis that tobamovirus invasion into the root cells isvia wounds inflicted through the disturbance of the root system during transplanting. Unwounded, newly formed roots that penetrated into the infested medium did not allow invasion by the virus. The use of condensed peat trays as well as perlite sleeves can serve as an efficient means to block soilborne epidemics of tobamoviruses in infested soils. However, this practice should be combined with sanitation of the greenhouse space to eliminate virus transmissionvia the aboveground parts of the plants.