IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry (IOSR-JBB) ISSN: 2455-264X, Volume 6, Issue 3 (May – June. 2020), PP 01-08 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/264X-0603010108 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page First report of Algerian watermelon mosaic virus infecting Cucumis sativus L in South South Nigeria Eyong, Oduba Ikwa 1 ., Owolabi, Ayodeji Timothy 2 ., Ekpiken, Emmanuel Etim 3 and Effa, Effa Anobeja 2 1 Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Cross River University of Technology. Cross River State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Plant and Ecological studies, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. 3 Department of Plant and Biotechnology, Cross River University of Technology, Cross River State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Plant and Ecological studies, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Abstract: Cucumis sativus L is a member of the cucurbit family grown wildly for it edible fruits. Virus infection has been reported to be a major constraint to its production as over 60 plant viruses are known to infect this crop reducing the quality and quantity of yearly production. Symptoms of mosaic and mottle was observed on this crop during the 2019 growing season in Ehom, Cross River State, Nigeria. Infected leaf samples were collected and tested using host rang/symptomatology test, insect transmission test and gene sequence analysis. The virus was found to infect only members of the cucurbit family and was transmitted by Aphis spiraecola. A. citricida did not transmit the virus. ACP-ELISA detected the virus to be a potyvirus and result from gene sequence analysis showed that the virus shared 81 % sequence identity with Algerian watermelon mosaic virus. The virus was considered a strain of Algerian watermelon mosaic virus. This is the first report of this virus infecting Cucumis sativus in Nigeria. Background: Cucumis sativus L is a vegetable crop belonging to cucurbit family. This crop has served as a source of income and food for local farmers in Ehom, Cross River State. It has been reported to contain phytonutrients which play important role in maintaining health. However, plant virus infection has been reported to reduce quantity and quality of production. Over 60 plant viruses are known to infect this crop and many other plants in the cucurbit family. A visit to some farms in this region prescribed evidence of viral infection on inspected gardens. Although several viruses infecting cucurbits have been isolated, characterised and identified in Nigeria there is little information on Algerian watermelon mosaic virus infection of crops in Nigeria. Material and Methods Infected leaf sample of C. pepo were collected and tested using host range/symptomatology test, insect transmission study, ACP-ELISA test and gene sequence analysis. Results: The virus was found to infect only members of the cucurbit family and was transmitted by Aphis spiraecola. A. citricida did not transmit the virus. ACP-ELISA detected the virus to be a potyvirus and result from gene sequence analysis showed that the virus shared 81 % sequence identity with Algerian watermelon mosaic virus. Conclusion: Through host range/symptomatology study, insect transmission test, serology and gene sequence analysis a strain of Algerian watermelon mosaic virus has been detected and found to infect C. sativus in Nigeria. Key Word: Potyvirus, ACP-ELISA, Cucumis sativus, Aphis sequence --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 06-05-2020 Date of Acceptance: 19-05-2020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Cucumis sativus L is one of the most economically important fruit bearing vegetables crops grown in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. The crop is believed to have originated from the Himalayas, possibly in India. It is a warm season, vining, annual plant in the Cucurbitaceae family grown for it fruits . Cucumbers as they are commonly called have become a source of income and most economically important crops that are grown both in commercially and small scale by local farmers, in addition to their role in local consumption. The increase of area devoted to cucurbit crops and the intensification of production has led to the emergence of severe viral epidemics that threaten the sustainability of the cultures 5 . Algerian watermelon mosaic virus (AWMV) belongs to the genus Potyvirus in the family Potyviridae. It has flexuous filamentous particles. According to reports the virus can cause economically important losses in the quality and quantity of several horticultural crops, mostly cucurbits. The geographical distribution of the