Watermelons and cantaloupes are still being planted. Over the past few weeks there have been a few days of heavy rain events and windy weather has put some growers behind schedule. Soil temperature is still cool due to the inconsistent weather patterns we are having, which means fusarium wilt is still active, and a potential threat to watermelons.
Fusarium wilt
Favorable Weather for Fusarium pathogen
North Florida watermelon producers have observed Fusarium wilt symptoms in some fields. As the disease develops, plants will exhibit low vigor, wilting during the hottest parts of the day and have a grayish-green appearance.
CucCAP scientists identify resistance loci for Fusarium wilt race 2 in wild watermelon
Genome-Wide Association Mapping and Genomic Prediction of Fusarium Wilt Race 2 Resistance in the USDA Citrullus amarus Collection
CucCAP scientists study pathogen resistances to watermelon fungicides
Watermelon is affected several pathogens and pests that are frequently controlled by SDHI compounds. Scientists from North Carolina State University compared the sensitivity of the different pathogens to various SDHIs.
Florida Watermelon producers focus on pest and disease management.
Research which focuses on pest and disease management is at the heart of crop sustainability in Florida’s watermelon industry. Two issues that need immediate attention are whiteflies and fusarium wilt in watermelon.
2023 Watermelon trial for Fusarium resistance
Delaying transplanting until the soil has warmed to about 81 degrees at a 4-inch depth can reduce the number of plants with Fusarium wilt.
Eleanor and Fascination are partially resistant cultivars that have been shown to perform better when Fusarium wilt is present. But grafting is more effective…and more expensive
2023 Fusarium Wilt experiment
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. This year’s Fusarium wilt experiment includes 3 seedless cultivars, 3 fungicide treatments applied via drip irrigation, and grafting. preliminary results are based on disease development 10 weeks after transplanting.
Fusarium wilt management
Research shows that Carolina Strongback rootstock is not immune to fusarium, but it does have a good level of resistance.