Growers are urged to scout cucumbers and melons and check the website for updates.
spore traps
Cucurbit growers support endowment
Growers, packers and producers of cucumber, watermelon and sweetpotato established the Vegetable Pathology Support Endowment on behalf of Dr. Lina Quesada’s vegetable pathology lab at NC State University through Pickle Packers International, Inc. in 2022.
CucCAP scientists translate genomic studies into novel detection method for precision management of downy mildew outbreaks
Downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis is the most destructive foliar disease affecting cucurbit crops. Genomic studies by Dr. Lina Quesada-Ocampo and colleagues at North Carolina State University showed that different isolates preferentially infect different cucurbit crops. From this information, a multiplex PCR-based assay was combined with spore trapping to identify which crops are most at risk. These results can facilitate timely and crop-specific fungicide application prior to appearance of symptoms in sentinel plots.
Ontario CDM Spore Trap Network August update
University of Geluph researchers monitor Cucurbit downy mildew in Kent and Norfolk counties using spore traps.
