Cucurbit Crop and Disease updates from plant pathologists and cooperative extension agents in the South and Midwest.
Fusarium wilt
Fusarium Wilt Observed in North Florida Watermelons
Early symptoms of Fusarium wilt appear as dull gray-green leaves which wilt during the hottest time of the day. While plants recover at night, the symptoms eventually become permanent over time. Infected plants will collapse and die.
NC Vegetable Grower’s Association Ag Expo
CucCAP scientists Lina Quesada-Ocampo and Jonathan Schultheis will present:
Disease Management and Downy Mildew, Cultivars to Consider Growing in North Carolina
Pumpkin Spacing Considerations: Effects on Yield, Size and Fruit Uniformity
Watermelon Cultivar Evaluations in Fields with Minimal or High Levels of Fusarium Wilt
Potential Fusarium Wilt Management Strategies
Cultivar selection key factor in managing Fusarium wilt
Melon Team | 2021 Progress Report
Jim McCreight leads the Melon team. Their objectives are to Map and develop markers for disease resistance in Melon and introgress, pyramid/stack resistances into advanced breeding lines.
Plant Breeding key to Fusarium wilt management | VCSNews
University of Florida plant pathologists discuss watermelon breeding efforts for disease resistance to Fusarium wilt.”The key to eliminating fusarium wilt disease’s impact on watermelons in the Southeast is developing disease-resistance cultivars.”
Gummy Stem Blight a Problem in North Florida Watermelons
Fusarium wilt is not the only disease affecting North Florida watermelons. According to an email alert sent by Suwannee Valley Extension agents, the region’s watermelon crop is undergoing high gummy stem blight pressure. High temperatures and humidity along with rain showers have provided the perfect environment for gummy stem blight.
Fusarium Wilt a Problem in Watermelons in South Carolina
CucCAP plant pathologist Tony Keinath recently reported in The South Carolina Grower that Fusarium wilt disease is becoming more widespread in watermelon fields in South Carolina.
