Molecular biological identification of detected viruses in cucurbit species from the State of Tocantins

Cucurbit crops may be affected by several virus diseases, which might cause up to 100% of yield losses. Dueto its environmental conditions, favorable to the emergence of viruses, the state of Tocantins has shown ahigh incidence of virus diseases in the field. The main objective of this study was to identify andcharacterize, serological. Biological and molecularly, 25 virus isolates from pumpkin and watermeloncollected in some regions of this state showing characteristic symptoms of viruses. Fourteen (56%) of the 25isolates studied, were identified as Squash mosaic virus (SqMV). Seven of them were detected in Casertasquash and another seven in watermelon. The remaining isolates were identified as Zucchini yellow mosaicvirus (ZYMV). SqMV showed higher incidence when compared to the other Brazilian States, where itnormally either have not been detected or detected in very low incidence. It shows the importance of SqMVfor Tocantins region.