Phytophthora fruit rot often reaches a peak in late summer and early fall as winter squash and pumpkins mature.
Phytophthora
The pathogen Phytophthora capsici causes Phytophthora Crown Rot, Phytophthora blight, and Phytophthora fruit rot.
Michigan Cucurbit update | August 21, 2024
Powdery mildew, Plectosporium blight, and Phytophthora fruit rot are present in the late summer and early fall as winter squash and pumpkins mature.
Early Career Scientist Spotlight | Sarah Cochran-Murray
Sarah Cochran-Murray is a PhD candidate working with CucCAP Plant Pathologist Dr. Lina Quesada-Ocampo in the Vegetable Pathology Lab at North Carolina State University’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, as well as the NC Plant Sciences Initiative.
ONvegetables VCR | August 1, 2024
Phytophthora infections are being reported in watermelon, pumpkin and squash across the SW Ontario growing region. Once established in a field, there are no effective treatments that will control the spread. If the infection is limited to an isolated area, and has not begun to spread, destroying the infected plant may prevent further spread.
Michigan Cucurbit crop report – July 24, 2024
Downy mildew that affects melons and cucumbers has been confirmed in the main pickle production regions of Michigan. Keep up to date on the development of this destructive cucurbit disease at the Hausbeck Downy Mildew News website.
Phytophthora capsici causes significant losses in squash and cucumber following heavy rains. The most obvious symptoms are entire plant wilts, and regions of white spores on the surface of fruits that look similar to powdered sugar.
Late-season rainfall sparks disease outbreaks in watermelons
2025 NWA Research Grant Program
The National Watermelon Association is commitment to funding research that supports watermelon farmers. The research that NWA funds through this program is entirely focused on production research, aimed at solving issues growers face on a regional or national basis.
Early Career Scientist Spotlight | Usha Bhatta
Usha Bhatta is a Post Doctoral Research Scientist working with CucCAP Plant Pathologist Dr. Lina Quesada-Ocampo in the Vegetable Pathology Lab at North Carolina State University, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and the NC Plant Sciences Initiative. Usha’s hometown is Mahendranagar, Nepal and she focus of her work in the Quasada-Ocampo lab is Plant pathology, genomics, integrated disease management.
