Transmission studies of Cucumber mosaic virus in Cucumber

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the viruses affecting cucumbers (Cucumis
sativus). It is transmitted by aphids (Aphis gossypii) in a non-persistent manner. A minimum
number of one aphid was required to transmit the virus. However, the Maximum percent
transmission of CMV disease was obtained when 30 aphids were released per plant. Twenty
minutes of Acquisition Access Feeding period and an Inoculation Access Feeding Period of
24 hrs were required by aphids for higher percent transmission of CMV. The percentage of
transmission decreased with an increase in the acquisition access feeding period and
inoculation access feeding period of more than 20 minutes and 24 hrs respectively. A pre-
acquisition starvation period of 2 hrs ensured the higher percent transmission of CMV.