Managing Viral Epidemics by Combining Virus Resistance and Aphid Resistance: What Is the Benefit?

Host plant resistance can target viruses directly or their aphid vectors to reduce viral diseases. In melon, resistance to the aphid Aphis gossypii significantly decreases incidence of both Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), a persistently transmitted virus, and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a non-persistently transmitted virus. Using a mathematical model, the authors simulate agro-ecological scenarios typical of melon production in South-East France to explore the efficacy of jointly deploying virus and aphid resistances. The results show a high probability of enhanced control against CABYV, while benefits for CMV remain uncertain but not detrimental.