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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #93179
Title: CUCURBITACIN CONTENT IN MUSKMELON ROOTS INFECTED WITH MONOSPORASCUS CANNONBALLUS

Author
item PETEREK, S. - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item KUTI, J. - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item MILLER, M. - TEXAS AGRI. EXP. STATION
item Bruton, Benny

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Monosporascus cannonballus is the causal agent of Monosporascus root rot/vine decline (MRRVD) of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). Cucurbitacins are secondary metabolites produced by cucurbits and have been correlated to plant response to disease. Little is known about the response of muskmelon roots to infection by M. cannonballus. A study was conducted to determine association of cucurbitacin with MRRVD infection in three muskmelon cultivars ('Magnum 45', 'Mission' and 'Primo'). Seedlings were artificially infected with the aggressive isolate TX 90-25 of M. cannonballus at 200 CFU/g of soil. Infected and control seedlings were transplanted to field plots, and roots were harvested 130 to 150 d after seeding at 5#1-day intervals. Preliminary data show that disease severity in roots is greater in 'Magnum 45' than in 'Mission' or 'Primo'. Total cucurbitacin content in control and diseased roots is currently being analyzed.