Specialists from across the country are joining forces to create a website that improves communication concerning cucurbit diseases.

The Cucurbit Family includes watermelon, cucumber, squash, pumpkin, zucchini, and more, and there are many cucurbit diseases that affect these popular and wide-spread crops. A website has been launched by “all sectors of the cucurbit industry — academia, private industry, and government”—known as the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group (EVCWG), according to a Growing Produce article. The aim of the website is “to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies to successfully identify and mitigate virus threats to cucurbit production in the United States,” according to their website. See the details below.

Cucurbit Diseases Website

The website aims to be a clearinghouse for research, production, Extension/outreach, and regulation related to cucurbit diseases. According to their website, the EVCWB will:

  • “Identify and prioritize potential risk factors for viruses affecting cucurbits, known and potential virus threats, mitigation strategies for these viruses, and methods to reduce virus threats and will determine the best approaches to address these issues.
  • “Work to increase knowledge and awareness of virus threats among members of the cucurbit industry through the delivery of educational presentations and the development of educational resources that will be posted to the EVCWG website.
  • “Improve awareness, identification, and management of existing and new viruses across the cucurbit industry in the United States that will ultimately help to decrease virus introduction/spread and associated yield losses and lead to improved stability and profitability within the cucurbit industry.”

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