Fusarium Diseases of Cucurbits

Abstract

The fungal genus Fusarium causes several diseases on plants known as cucurbits, which belong to the family Cucurbitaceae. Some species of Fusaria are responsible for vascular wilts, such as the crop-specific disease Fusarium wilt of melon (cantaloupe and muskmelon) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Another Fusarium species, Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae, causes a crown and foot rot of summer squash and pumpkin, and a fruit rot of pumpkin. Still other Fusarium species are responsible for preharvest and postharvest fruit rots of assorted cucurbits. Although the species of the genus Fusarium have many characteristics in common, the three diseases mentioned will be discussed separately.