Designing open-field melon–flower strip associations to control aphids and viral epidemics

A multi-year, multidisciplinary field experiment assessed flower strip implementation in open-field melon (Cucumis melo) crops to mitigate colonization by the aphid Aphis gossypii and subsequent viral outbreaks. The presence of floral strips significantly increased the abundance of aphid natural enemies, particularly Coccinellidae, compared to bare soil margins. Levels of A. gossypii colonization remained similar across treatments, while the Vat resistance gene effectively limited aphid settlement and the development of CABYV and CMV. Additionally, flower strips reduced the incidence of WMV in certain years, suggesting a complementary agroecological strategy alongside genetic resistance.