Floating Row Covers for the Exclusion of Virus Vectors and the Effect on Disease Incidence and Yield of Cantaloupe

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Abstract
The effects of gloating row covers on aphid and whitefly densities in cantaloupe, Cucumis melo L. and the associated virus disease incidence and cantaloupe yield were evaluated. Reemay, Kimberly Farms Row Cover, and Agryl covers prevented aphids from feeding and delayed symptom expression of the spring viruses, zucchini yellow mosaic virus and watermelon mosaic virus 2. When weeds were controlled under the covers in spring plantings, there were significantly higher yields from plants in the covered plots. In fall plantings, Reemay prevented sweetpotato whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), from feeding on the plants and this delayed symptom expression of disease caused by lettuce infectious yellows virus. Despite this delay, yields were not different probably because reduced light under the covers was compounded by low light conditions in late September and early October, offsetting any advantage from the delay in disease incidence. Further studies suggested that covers should be removed during the mid-vegetative period in the fall and during perfect flowering in the spring to maximize yields.