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Title: THE TAXONOMIC POSITION OF THE CAUSAL AGENT OF ACREMONIUM COLLAPSE OF MUSKMELON

Author
item ALFARO-GARCIA, A - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA
item ARMENGOL, J - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA
item Bruton, Benny
item GAMS, W - CENTRAALBUREAU VOOR
item GARCIA-JIMENEZ, J - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA
item MARTINEZ-FERRER, G - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA

Submitted to: Journal of Mycologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Vine decline and vine collapse are serious diseases that can be caused by one or more of several fungi. Annually, these diseases cause extensive losses in muskmelon yield and quality in many growing areas. In recent years, research has demonstrated that many of the same diseases affecting United States muskmelon production cause similar losses in other countries around the world. Recently, the cause of muskmelon collapse in Spain was found to be an Acremonium sp. Subsequently, the fungus has been isolated from disease areas in California and Texas. Morphological and pathological comparisons between fungal isolates demonstrated that the U. S. isolates appear were identical to those found in Spain. Using classical fungal taxonomic criteria, the fungal isolates were identified as the same specie of Acremonium and given the name Acremonium cucurbitacearum. Correct identification of disease producing organisms allows scientists from the respective country to collaborate on developing control measures and host plant resistance.

Technical Abstract: An Acremonium sp. has been involved in extensive losses of muskmelon production in Spain for several years. The common name that has been suggested for the disease is "Acremonium collapse" due to the rapid death of affected plants. More recently, the fungus has been isolated from cucurbits in the United States from California and Texas production areas. The species is described as Acremonium cucurbitacearum n. sp.; it is classified in section Acremonium and differentiated from similar species on morphological ground.