Fusarium Wilt
It typically affects runners on one side of the plant, but in advanced stages it may cause the wilting of the entire plant. Watermelon varieties with resistance to Fusarium Race 1 are available but may be ineffective in soils with a high Fusarium Race 1 population. The reduction in canopy coverage that occurs in response to infection by soil borne pathogens exposes fruit to sunburn.
Control Measures
Avoid acid soils or fields with a history of Fusarium wilt or root rots/vine declines. Late plantings should not be situated nearby and downwind of early planted cucurbit fields where foliar or virus diseases already exist. Avoid the movement of contaminated soil or plant debris into clean fields on workers or equipment. Diseases such as anthracnose, bacterial fruit blotch, gummy stem blight, and Fusarium wilt are known to be carried on seed. This can lead to rapid disease development and spread in greenhouse transplant production and to the introduction of diseases into fields. Purchase seed from reputable sources and apply a fungicide seed treatment prior to planting. Carefully inspect plants to ensure only healthy ones are transplanted into fields. Most foliar diseases are spread by water-splash or are favoured by long periods of leaf wetness.
Use drip irrigation or avoid frequent sprinkler irrigation with small volumes of water. Finally, use tillage practices that promote the rapid decomposition of old vines and melons soon after harvest.
The use of disease-resistant varieties is an economical means of con- trolling diseases. Several varieties have resistance to Fusarium wilt.
It typically affects runners on one side of the plant, but in advanced stages it may cause the wilting of the entire plant. Watermelon varieties with resistance to Fusarium Race 1 are available but may be ineffective in soils with a high Fusarium Race 1 population. The reduction in canopy coverage that occurs in response to infection by soil borne pathogens exposes fruit to sunburn.
Control Measures
Avoid acid soils or fields with a history of Fusarium wilt or root rots/vine declines. Late plantings should not be situated nearby and downwind of early planted cucurbit fields where foliar or virus diseases already exist. Avoid the movement of contaminated soil or plant debris into clean fields on workers or equipment. Diseases such as anthracnose, bacterial fruit blotch, gummy stem blight, and Fusarium wilt are known to be carried on seed. This can lead to rapid disease development and spread in greenhouse transplant production and to the introduction of diseases into fields. Purchase seed from reputable sources and apply a fungicide seed treatment prior to planting. Carefully inspect plants to ensure only healthy ones are transplanted into fields. Most foliar diseases are spread by water-splash or are favoured by long periods of leaf wetness.
Use drip irrigation or avoid frequent sprinkler irrigation with small volumes of water. Finally, use tillage practices that promote the rapid decomposition of old vines and melons soon after harvest.
The use of disease-resistant varieties is an economical means of con- trolling diseases. Several varieties have resistance to Fusarium wilt.