Incidence, geographic distribution, and molecular characterization of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in cucurbits in Jordan

Abstract Cucurbits are susceptible to infection by viruses belonging to different taxonomic groups, including cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV, Tobamovirus viridimaculae ), a highly stable and mechanically transmissible virus, also known to be seed‐borne. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, distribution, and genetic diversity of CGMMV in cultivated and wild cucurbits, alternative hosts, and commercial cucurbit seeds in Jordan. A total of 700 samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants were collected in 48 fields across seven major cucurbit‐growing regions. Screening by double antibody sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (DAS‐ELISA) revealed CGMMV infection only in cucumber plants, with 63 positive samples collected in six fields located in three geographical regions, corresponding to 9% overall CGMMV infection. No CGMMV was detected in other cucurbit or weed samples. Additionally, six cucumbers and one melon seed lots tested positive for CGMMV by DAS‐ELISA. Complementary reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis of 95 selected samples confirmed CGMMV infection in nine samples that had previously tested positive by ELISA. Biological assays using five CGMMV isolates showed typical symptoms on cucumber, with no evident phenotypic differences among the isolates, in accordance with the low diversity observed at the genome sequence level. Our findings provide additional insights into the phytosanitary status of cucurbits in Jordan and emphasise the need for continuous monitoring of seed health to support disease management.