Muskmelon collapse - a new disease in the EC (Spain)
A new disease of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) has been reported from Spain which causes very severe economic losses in some Spanish regions. The most obvious symptom of the disease is a sudden collapse of the whole plant at the time when the first fruit is ripening. First disease symptoms appear, however, very early, directly after sowing or after transplanting and are characterized by a yellow discoloration and corking of the upper root. Death of secondary roots occurs afterwards. Aerial symptoms appear when the first fruit begins to ripe, by wilting of young leaves and the consequent death of the plant within a few days.
Studies to identify the causal agent showed that a fungus of the genus Acremonium is responsible. Means of controlling the disease are currently beeing investigated. None of 89 melon cultivars tested ;were resistant to the fungus. Chemical control by using prochloraz in drip irrigation has shown some effects, but total control has not been achieved. The use of resistant rootstocks is, according to the authors, the most promising method of controlling the disease.
Sources
Garcia-Jimenez, J.; Martinez-Ferrer, G.; Armengol, J.; Jorda, C.; Alfaro-Garcia, A. ;(1993) ;Symptomatology, etiology and possibilities in the control of a Spanish muskmelon collapse.
Presentation at the "Premier Colloque Italo-Français De Phytopathologie sur: Maladies nouvelles ou d'introduction récente en France, en Italie et dans le bassin méditerranéen", Alghero, IT, 1993-04-14/18.