Outbreaks of Anthracnose in watermelon and cucumber have occurred in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and New York recently. Anthracnose is caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare. Symptoms can appear on leaves, stems and fruit. This disease impacts other cucurbit crops including cucumber, muskmelon, squash, gourd, pumpkin, cantaloupe and honeydew. Conditions including high humidity, rainfall, overhead irrigation and warm temperatures favor the disease. The pathogen can be introduced to production fields by infested seeds or transplants, disease spores spread from other areas, and wind-driven rain or overhead irrigation.
Anthracnose symptoms on watermelon leaves include dark brown to black lesions with shot holes. Image courtesy of Specialty Crop Industry Magasine
