Cucurbit disease management resources from the Cornell Vegetable program including content from the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center Vegetable Pathology website and the former Vegetable MD Online website have been moved to a new website.
Cucurbit Crop & Disease Management Resources
Plant Disease clinics in the USA, Cucurbit disease forecasters, Field & Variety Trials, Cucurbit Variety Trials, Pest Management, Cucurbit Production manuals & handbooks, Disease diagnosis, Disease outbreaks, Extension news, and Cucurbit Grower news.
Vegetable Production handbook now available
Management Strategies of Phytophthora Blight in Cucurbits
The USDA has identified vegetable crops as challenged specialty crops. Cucurbits are important cash crops in the United States. The profitable and sustainable production of cucurbits is severely impacted by the destructive soilborne disease, Phytophthora blight.
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline | Dec. 3, 2023
Widespread Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), and cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) infestations have been reported on watermelon in multiple locations. Crumple virus and yellow stunt virus are now common in mature watermelon fields with low levels of vine decline.
Gummy stem blight is reaching moderate to high levels in watermelon fields.
Low levels of Anthracnose on watermelons.
Powdery mildew and Downy mildew was reported in cucumber and squash. Downy mildew is expected to increase in melons due to the recent rain.
ONvegetables | Vegetable Crop Production Guide for Ontario
OMAFRA’s new Guide to Vegetable Production in Ontario – Publication 839 is now available.
This guide replaces the discontinued Publication 363 – Vegetable Production Recommendations.
Three steps for Powdery mildew management
Components of a good PM management program:
1. Choose PM-tolerant or -resistant hybrids whenever possible to maximize host plant resistance against this disease.
2. Scout for PM beginning mid-summer on the upper and lower leaf surfaces throughout the field and leaf canopy. If even a few colonies are found, treatment should begin immediately and continue until harvest.
3. Know the Fungicide Resistance Action Code (FRAC) or mode of action (MOA) number (found on the label) for each fungicide used on your farm and how to rotate it.
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline | Oct. 18, 2023
In Central Florida, reports indicate incidence of Cucurbit downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) is increasing and Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) incidence is very low.
In Southwest Florida, CuLCrV, Squash Vein Yellowing Virus and Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus were diagnosed. Gummy stem blight was reported on watermelons in older watermelon fields.
In Southwest Florida, Very low infestation levels of Cucurbit Downy Mildew were reported by field scouts.
South Florida pest and disease hotline | Oct. 8, 2023
Florida extension agents reported low to moderate levels of whiteflies on cucurbit crops in several regions. Whiteflies are vectors of several cucurbit viruses.
