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Title: HOST RANGE OF ACREMONIUM CUCURBITACEARUM, CAUSE OF ACREMONIUM COLLAPSE OF MUSKMELON

Author
item ARMENGOL, J - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA
item SANZ, E. - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA
item MARTINEZ-FERRER, G - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA
item SALES, R. - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA
item Bruton, Benny
item GARCIA-JIMENEZ, J - UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA

Submitted to: Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Acremonium collapse is a serious disease of muskmelon in Spain. Recently, the disease has been reported in California and Texas. The disease appears to be causing substantial damage to muskmelons in the Sacremento Valley California. However, there is no information on susceptibility of other cucurbits to the fungus. In order to establish control strategies, information on susceptibility of other agricultural crops and weed species common to melon fields is necessary. Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate cucurbits, other agricultural crops, and weed species as hosts of the fungus. The results clearly showed that the fungus affects all members of the cucurbit family with watermelon and muskmelon being most susceptible. Other agricultural crops, including corn, wheat, cotton, sunflower, pepper, tomato, and potato were determined to be non-hosts of the fungus. Fifteen weed species tested were also found to be non-hosts of fthe fungus. The fungus appears to be restricted to the cucurbit family. Consequently, crop rotation would appear to be useful in controlling the disease.

Technical Abstract: The pathogenicity of Acremonium cucurbitacearum to thirty-one cucurbits, eighteen agricultural crop plants, and fifteen weed species was evaluated under greenhouse. This study demonstrated that a wide variety of cucurbits in addition to muskmelon and watermelon can potentially serve as hosts of A. cucurbitacearum. Using a disease severity index (DSI), all muskmelon and watermelon cultivars were ranked as susceptible or highly susceptible, with the exception of the muskmelon cv TAM Dew Improved that ranked resistant in one study. Highly resistant cucurbits included Cucurbita maxima (autumn squash), Luffa acutangula, and L. aegyptiaca (sponge gourd). Benincasa cerifera (ash gourd), Cyclanthera pedata, and Cucumis miriocarpus were rated as resistant. Percentage recovery of the fungus ranged from 8 to 100% and tended to be higher in plants with a higher DSI. Other agricultural crops and weed species common to muskmelon production fields are not likely involved in perpetuation nor propagation of the fungus.