Zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV) was isolated in 1993 from a squash plant (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandrani) showing severe leaf and fruit distortions, collected in the Gezira region (Sudan). This isolate (ZYMV-Su) was found to be very closely serologically related if not identical to the type strain from Italy. The host range was mostly limited to Cucurbitaceae but systemic infection was found to occur on sesame (Sesamum indicum), an important cultivated crop in Sudan. ZYMV-Su induced mosaic symptoms on the resistant melon accession PI 414723, indicating that it belongs to pathotype 2, but did not cause wilting of melon cv. Doublon. ZYMV-Su was efficiently transmitted by Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii in a nonpersistent manner. Surveys conducted from 1993 to 1995 revealed that ZYMV occurred in the major cucurbit growing areas in Sudan, in a diversity of crops and agroecosystems.

Melon rugose mosaic virus (MRMV) was isolated from snake cucumber (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) in the Kassala region of Sudan in 1993. The host range of the virus was mostly limited to cucurbits, where it induced severe mosaic and leaf deformations. Cytopathological studies revealed severe chloroplast alterations, including vesicles at their periphery and the tendency to aggregate, which are typical of tymovirus infections, providing further evidence that MRMV is a tentative member of the genus Tymovirus. In melon and snake cucumber, MRMV was found to be seed transmitted at rates of 0.9 and 3.8%, respectively. Seed dissection experiments revealed that the virus could be detected in the seed coat, papery layer, and embryo. Seed disinfection treatments did not reduce seed transmission rates, which suggests an internal transmission. A preliminary screening for resistance in melon revealed some resistance in two out of 367 accessions tested.

Zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV) is prevalent in different cucurbit growing agro‐ecosystems in Sudan. A study of the biological and serological variability of isolates originating from different regions was conducted to better understand ZYMV epidemiology and to develop adapted and durable control strategies. Variability was detected among isolates regarding symptomatology, host range and virulence towards the Zym resistance gene in melon (Cucumis melo L.) PI 414723. Serological variability was also revealed using a set of seven differential monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against a French isolate (ZYMV‐E9). Six serotypes were differentiated, but a majority of isolates (88%) reacted with all the mAbs as did the reference strains from Italy and France. All isolates from Sudan were equally well controlled by the resistance genes described in squash (Cucurhita moschata (Duchesne) Duchesne ex Poir. cvs. Menina and Nigeria) and in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. TMG), or by cross protection with the mild ZYMV‐WK strain. All isolates were transmitted in a nonpersistent manner by Aphis gossypii Glover and Myzus persicae Sulzer.