Interspecific cross was made between C. moschata L. Nigerian local cv. as a
source to resistance of some virus diseases and C. pepo L. Eskandrani cv. which is
highly susceptible to most virus diseases especially Watermelon mosaic 2 0NMV-2).
Genetic materials in this work consists of four genotypes ;i.e., P,(C. pepo L.
Eskandrani cv.) as a female parent, P2 (Cucurbita moschata L. Nigerian Local cv.) as
a male parent., F, and F2 between them. The Interspecific hybrid plants showed
intermediate morphological characters betweer. parent leaves and flowers. The
inoculated plants of C. pepo L. Eskandrani CV. with WMV-2 showed severe systemic
symptoms while plants of C. moschata L. Nigerian local cv. and hybrids were
symptomless. The inoculated plants of F2 segregates to 3 resistant: 1 susceptible. The
resistance to WMV-2 in C. moschata L. is controlled by a single dominant gene. The
resistant plants to WMV-2 in F2 generation will be a great hope to combine genes
responsible for viral diseases with superior commercial characters.