Phytophthora capsici
In cucumber fields, Phytophthora capsici primarily causes fruit rot and on rare occasions, when the weather is favorable, it can infect cucumber seedlings. Sporangia are formed on infected fruit and have a powdered sugar appearance. Sporulation is favored by rain and warm temperatures. Water management has a high impact on disease development. In the presence of water sporangia can differentiate into swimming zoospores. Surface irrigation water can be a source of zoospore spread. The pathogen has two mating types, A1 and A2, that form a survival thick-walled structure called the oospore when they come into contact. The oospore can overwinter in the soil and persist in infested soil for as long as 10 years. Phytophthora fruit rot affects all cucurbit crops.
Factsheets
- The Facts about Phytophthora Blight, Cornell University, 2017
Infección de Phytophthora, Spanish translation, 2017 - Managing Phytophthora on Cucumber, Michigan State University, 2018
Manejo de Phytophthora en Pepino, Spanish translation, 2017
More information about Phytophthora fruit rot
- Phytophthora Blight and Its Management in Cucurbit Crops and Other Vegetables, Cornell University
- Managing Mildews and Phytophthora Blight Successfully in 2019 Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Life cycle of Phytophthora capsici, Cornell University
- Susceptible crops and weeds, Cornell University
- What can I do to keep Phytophthora blight off of my farm?, Cornell University
- What can I do if Phytophthora blight is already on my farm?, Cornell University
- Phytophthora Blight in Cucurbit Crops, Cornell University
- Are your cucurbits infected with Phytophthora capsici?, NC State, 2013
- Vegetable Diseases Caused by Phytophthora capsici in Florida, 2015
