Journal of Plant Pathology (2006) 88, p. S56 (Reda et al.)
R. Reda, M.P. Aleandri, P. Magro and G. Chilosi (2006)
Soil-borne diseases of melon in central Italy: Fungal agents and relationship with cultural practices and environmental conditions
Journal of Plant Pathology 88 (3, Special Issue), S56-S56
S.I.Pa.V XIII National Meeting - Foggia, 12-16 September 2006 - Poster
Abstract: Melon is one of the major source of revenue in the out-season horticultural growing area of the province of Viterbo (Central Italy). Soil-borne diseases of fungal origin have become in the last few years the yield-limiting factors of this crop in a number of farms, probably due to changes in cultural practices in greenhouse cultivations. As a consequence of the rapid spread of these melon diseases in the area, their constant monitoring is strictly necessary along with epidemiological studies and setting up of effective means of prevention and control. The aim of this work was to survey melon fields for the occurrence of soil-borne diseases under field and greenhouse conditions. The fungal pathogens most frequently isolated from infected plants were Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis (FOM) race 1,2. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium sp., Fusarium sambucinum, Verticillium dahliae, Rhizoctonia solani, Didymella bryoniae and Plectosporium tabacinum. In particular, the recent rapid spread of collapse caused by Monosporascus cannonballus represented, together with FOM, the main cause of losses. Aboveground symptoms become evident just prior to harvest resulting in rapid wilt of plants, premature fruit ripening and low sugar content. The frequency of isolation of the different fungal pathogens varied with seasonal variation, type of melon genotype and cultural practices, such as irrigation regime and sanitation practices.
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
