Clostero‐like particles associated with a yellows disease of melons in South‐eastern Spain

Abstract
Melon yellows disease is a new disease of melon which has become very important in several areas of protected melon crops in the south‐east of Spain. It is spreading to other regions of the Mediterranean Coast. On first studies a viral agent was suspected; however, there were no experimental data to support such a hypothesis. In 1988 it was demonstrated that the disease was transmitted by Trialeurodes vaporariorum.The disease was found to be associated with the presence of long flexuous viral particles typical of Closterovirus Group II. A preliminary method for purification of the virus has been developed and an antiserum has been prepared.