THE Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries has confirmed cucumber green mottle mosaic virus has been detected in a pumpkin crop in the Northern Territory.
The department made the announcement on October 24 as Katherine watermelon producers impacted by the highly contagious virus continued to destroy their crops.
An additional quarantine area has been declared in Marrakai following the detection of the infected pumpkin crop.
Properties in declared quarantine areas will not be able to move, sell or plant any of the virus’ declared host plants, which include watermelons, cucumbers and squash.
Chief plant health manager Stephen West thanked melon growers in Katherine for their assistance.
“Growers in Katherine have been extremely cooperative with the quarantine decisions and have taken steps to destroy their watermelon crop by turning off water and ripping up crops,” he said.
“It is important that we move quickly to seek to prevent any further spread of the virus, as it could have a devastating impact on some of our agricultural industries.”
Meanwhile, banana plant movement restrictions are now in place in the Northern Territory to help stop the spread of banana freckle.
The industry has been dealt a major blow over the past month following the announcement that six red zones had been set up as the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries battles to eradicate the disease from the NT.
