Since 2003, watermelon production in South Florida has been severely impacted by Watermelon Vine Decline (WVD), a disease that causes rapid wilting, vine collapse, and fruit rot, leading to significant yield losses, sometimes as high as 100%. The disease is associated with the Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), transmitted by the silverleaf whitefly, though environmental factors and various fungi and bacteria may also contribute. Despite efforts to control whiteflies with insecticides, WVD remains a major threat, with estimated losses exceeding $60 million over four years.
