Low pH soil inhibits transmission of Melon necrotic spot virus by its fungal vector Olpidium bornovanus

Influence of cultivation pH of melon seedlings on transmission efficiency of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) by the fungal vector Olpidium bornovanus was investigated. When melon seedlings were grown in plant culture medium, the transmission of MNSV was decreased under low pH values of 5.5 and 4.5. The application of 1% and 2% Ferosand (FeSO4·H2O) to decrease soil pH in artificially infested soil that was contaminated with O. bornovanus and MNSV, also decreased the transmission efficiency of MNSV. These results indicate that the transmission of MNSV by O. bornovanus is inhibited under low pH soil conditions.