Cucurbit disease updates
In Southwest Florida:
- Whitefly populations are moderate to very high in watermelon, cucumbers, and other vegetables.
- Scouts report Watermelon Crinkle Leaf Associated Virus 1 (WCLaV-1) has been identified in some fields.
- Low levels of Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus (CuLCrV) and mosaic virus have also been reported on watermelon.
- In squash, very low to low virus incidence was reported.
- Anthracnose (Collectotrichum) has been reported in watermelon plants submitted to Southwest Florida Research & Education Center.
- In watermelons, the incidence of powdery mildew of cucurbits (Podosphaera xanthii) is reported to be low.
- In squash, reports indicate moderate levels of powdery mildew, with greater incidence and severity in older plantings.
In Homestead:
- Powdery mildew is present in cucurbits throughout most of the area.
In Central Florida:
- Reports indicate older squash plantings have moderate to high populations of whitefly, with younger squash having low populations.
