Resistance screening against Cucumber vein yellowing virus using a real-time (Taqman®) RT-PCR assay in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV) has become a limiting factor for cucumber production in greenhouses in southeast Spain. Current protection measures rely on control of the vector, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, and the use of resistant cultivars. Reverse transcription followed by real-time PCR assays based on TaqMan® chemistry have been developed for the detection and quantification of CVYV in cucumber. The assays designed were used to compare the evolution of virus in inoculated commercial resistant cultivars during two consecutive crop seasons. Observed resistance did not always match resistance labels supplied by seed companies. A significant seasonal effect was also found on CVYV concentrations in cucumber. The present paper provides a method that can be introduced into cucumber breeding programs as an improved resistance screening procedure.