Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis
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Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis W.C. Snyder & H.N. Hansen 1940 - (Fusarium wilt of melon)
is a widespread seed- and soilborne pathogen that specifically infects melon causing wilting. Infestations on susceptibel cultivars might result in total yield losses. Symptoms start with marginal yellowing followed by a general yellowing of the older leaves and wilting of one or more runners. A longitudinal section through the base (crown) of the plant will reveal vascular discoloration. In some cases, the plants wilt severely (collapse). Almost complete crop losses due to the disease have been reported. The fungus mainly persist in the soil as chlamydospores or in infected seed. It may also survive saprophytically on plant debris. Germinating spores infect the plant through small wounds in the roots.
Management relies mainly on resistant cultivars. However, 4 races of the pathogen have been described (called race 0, 1, 2 and 1,2) and a given cultivar might not be resistant against all races. Race 2 is widely distributed in the United States, while race 1 is common in Europe and the Near East. Crop rotation may not be effective due to the persistence of the chlamydospores.
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Fusarium-Welke der Melone |
| • English: | Fusarium wilt of melon |
| • Español: | fusariosis del melón |
| • Français: | fusariose vasculaire du melon |
Three types of spores are produced: 1) one-celled, oval to cylindrical or reniform microconidia; 2) slightly sickle-shaped macroconidia; and 3) thick-walled chlamydospores.
The page Fusarium oxysporum gives a general overview of the biology of this fungus.
