Diagnostic Guide for Gummy Stem Blight and Black Rot on Cucurbits

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Keinath
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Rot ◽  
Black Rot ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Foliar Blight ◽  
Stem Cankers

Gummy stem blight and black rot affect all commonly cultivated cucurbits, including melon, watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, and squash. Symptoms may be found on all vegetative and reproductive parts of plants, although there is variation in susceptibility among species and horticultural types. Characteristic symptoms include foliar blight, crown and stem cankers, and fruit rot. The pathogen, Didymella bryoniae, can be identified from its fruiting bodies of pycnidia and pseudothecia on diseased tissue and in culture. Accepted for publication 27 August 2013. Published 24 October 2013.

scholarly journals Differential Susceptibility of Nine Cucurbit Species to the Foliar Blight and Crown Canker Phases of Gummy Stem Blight

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Keinath
Keyword(s):  
Cucumis Melo ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Cucurbita Moschata ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Foliar Blight ◽  
Diseased Leaf Area ◽  
Stem Cankers

Eighteen cucurbit cultivars representing five genera, nine species, and 17 horticultural types were inoculated with Didymella bryoniae in field plots in Charleston, SC, in autumn 2008, autumn 2009, and spring 2011 to determine susceptibility to gummy stem blight. In each year, gummy stem blight cankers occurred more frequently on crowns or main stems of ‘Athena’ muskmelon (Cucumis melo) and ‘Green Striped Cushaw’ squash (Cucurbita argyrosperma) than on all other cultivars except ‘Rocio’ honeydew (Cucumis melo) in 2009, and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) and Ojakkyo citron (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) in 2011. Cucurbita moschata was highly resistant to stem cankers. Severity of gummy stem blight on foliage was moderate to severe in autumn 2009, mild to severe in autumn 2008, and very mild in spring 2011 (due to unusually dry weather). Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) and melon were the most susceptible to foliar blight in 2008 and 2009. In all 3 years, ‘Cheese’ and ‘Bugle’ squash (both Cucurbita moschata), and ‘Judgment III’ and ‘Lioness’ summer squash (C. pepo) were among the cultivars with the least diseased leaf area. C. moschata, C. pepo, C. maxima, and Luffa cylindrica (smooth loofah) were significantly less susceptible to foliar blight than Cucumis melo and three Citrullus lanatus cultivars in 2008 and 2009. This study also is the first documentation of susceptibility of Cucurbita argyrosperma to gummy stem blight.

scholarly journals Effect of Fungicide Applications Scheduled to Control Gummy Stem Blight on Yield and Quality of Watermelon Fruit

Plant Disease ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Keinath
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fruit Rot ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Black Rot ◽  
Soluble Solids Content ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Solids Content

Yield and quality reductions in watermelon infected with Didymella bryoniae may be attributed to reduced number or weight of fruit, sunburned fruit, fruit rot, or low sugar content due to gummy stem blight on foliage and black rot on fruit. Number, weight, soluble solids content, and external appearance of fruit were determined in four experiments conducted in fall 1996 and 1997 and spring 1997 and 1998. Severity of gummy stem blight was varied by applying no fungicide, mancozeb, or chlorothalonil according to different schedules. In the fall, when disease severity was high, total fruit weight, percent marketable fruit, and soluble solids content were lower and percent fruit with black rot was higher in nonsprayed than in sprayed treatments. Fungicide applications did not affect total fruit weight, soluble solids content, or black rot in the spring, when disease severity was moderate to low. Percent sunburned fruit was greater in treatments sprayed every 14 days than in those sprayed weekly. In fall experiments, the number of healthy, unblemished fruit increased linearly as the number of fungicide applications was increased from zero to nine per season. Yield losses in watermelon to gummy stem blight and black rot resulted primarily from a reduction in total fruit weight and an increase in number of diseased and sunburned fruit.

scholarly journals First Report of Gummy Stem Blight, Caused by Didymella bryoniae, on Watermelon Transplants in California

Plant Disease ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 1331-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Koike
Keyword(s):  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Potato Dextrose Agar ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Dark Cycle ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Cucumber Fruit ◽  
Phoma Cucurbitacearum

In 1997, greenhouse-produced transplants of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) developed water-soaked lesions on leaf petioles and main stems. As disease progressed, petioles and stems became necrotic and shriveled, and exuded a sticky, translucent tan liquid. Symptoms spread to leaves, which wilted and collapsed. Affected transplants eventually died. Although fruiting bodies were not observed on diseased plants, a fungal agent was consistently isolated from symptomatic tissues. When incubated under lights (12 h light/12 h dark cycle), isolates on potato dextrose agar produced numerous pycnidia with hyaline, cylindrical, one-septate conidia with mean dimensions of 5.6 × 2.8 μm. Under the same incubation conditions, isolates on V8 juice agar produced sparse ostiolate pseudothecia with bitunicate asci and hyaline, oval, one-septate ascospores with mean dimensions of 12.0 × 4.0 μm. Based on these characters, the isolates were identified as Didymella bryoniae (anamorph Phoma cucurbitacearum) (1,2). Pathogenicity was tested by producing conidial inocula of representative isolates and inoculating wounded cotyledons, true leaves, and petioles of watermelon (cv. Sangria), and wounded true leaves and petioles of cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Premier Hybrid) (3). Sterile, distilled water was applied to corresponding wounded tissues of control plants. All plants were kept in a humid chamber for 4 days. After 6 (watermelon) to 10 (cucumber) days, inoculated plants exhibited water-soaked lesions followed by necrosis, petiole and leaf wilting, and shriveling of tissues. Pycnidia were observed on cucumber plants after 18 days. The pathogen was reisolated from all inoculated plants and identified as D. bryoniae. Control plants developed no disease symptoms. In addition, agar plugs colonized with the watermelon isolates were placed onto cucumber fruit that were wounded slightly with a sterile scalpel. Fruit were incubated at 22 to 24°C in humid chambers and after 2 days sunken, circular lesions developed. The same pathogen was reisolated from the margins of fruit lesions. Wounded control fruit received sterile agar plugs and did not develop any symptoms. This is the first documentation of gummy stem blight on watermelon transplants in California. References: (1) W. F. Chiu and J. C. Walker. J. Agric. Res. 78:81, 1949. (2) A. P. Keinath et al. Phytopathology 85:364, 1995. (3) A. J. Wyszogrodzka et al. Euphytica 35:603, 1986.

scholarly journals Watermelon Fruit Disorders

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald N. Maynard ◽  
Donald L. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Phytophthora Capsici ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Fruit Rot ◽  
Black Rot ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Bacterial Fruit Blotch ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Blossom End Rot

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Matsum & Nakai) fruit are affected by a number of preharvest disorders that may limit their marketability and thereby restrict economic returns to growers. Pathogenic diseases discussed include bacterial rind necrosis (Erwinia sp.), bacterial fruit blotch [Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli (Schaad et al.) Willems et al.], anthracnose [Colletotrichum orbiculare (Berk & Mont.) Arx. syn. C. legenarium (Pass.) Ellis & Halst], gummy stem blight/black rot [Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm], and phytophthora fruit rot (Phytophthora capsici Leonian). One insect-mediated disorder, rindworm damage is discussed. Physiological disorders considered are blossom-end rot, bottleneck, and sunburn. Additionally, cross stitch, greasy spot, and target cluster, disorders of unknown origin are discussed. Each defect is shown in color for easy identification.

scholarly journals First Report of Gummy Stem Blight Caused by Didymella bryoniae on Watermelon and Confirmation of the Disease on Pumpkin in Tanzania

Plant Disease ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 768-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Jensen ◽  
A. Massawe ◽  
I. S. Swai
Keyword(s):  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Fruit Rot ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
First Report ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Specific Pcr

Foliar, stem, and fruit lesions were observed on watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) in two separate research fields in the district of Arusha, Tanzania during the warm, rainy season from February to April 2010. Similar symptoms were observed in commercial watermelon fields and intercropped pumpkin fields in Same and Moshi districts with as much as 100% fruit loss in watermelon. Disease symptoms on watermelon were dark brown, V-shaped leaf lesions. On pumpkin, V-shaped leaf lesions were light brown. On both hosts, stems showed water-soaked lesions after rain, which dried up and cracked. On pumpkin, a gummy, amber exudate was seen after rain on stem and fruit lesions. Flowers and fruits of both hosts developed black rot spots and aborted. Isolation of the causal agent on potato dextrose agar (PDA) from leaf and stem pieces of watermelon and pumpkin plants in Arusha showed white-to-olivaceous green mycelium. Pycnidia formed on one-quarter-strength PDA and produced hyaline, oblong conidia mainly with two guttules, nonseptate, 5 to 11 × 3 to 5 μm. Pathogenicity was tested with three isolates from watermelon and one from pumpkin on four 1-month-old plants per watermelon cvs. Sugar Baby and Charleston Grey and pumpkin cv. Small Sugar per isolate. The test was repeated on the watermelon cultivars. One site on the main stem and two leaves per plant were misted, pricked with a scalpel, inoculated with 3-day-old mycelial plugs (5 × 5 mm), and kept humid at 20 to 30°C in cellophane bags for 3 days. All plants developed leaf and/or stem lesions. Detached, misted leaves were also laid on 2% water agar and inoculated as above. Water-soaked lesions developed around inoculation sites and microscopy of infected tissue revealed pycnidia with conidia as described above. All isolates infected both hosts. A set of control plants and detached leaves, mock inoculated with agar plugs, remained symptomless. The fungus was reisolated from infected leaves and stems of both hosts. On the basis of the morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm (anamorph Phoma cucurbitacearum (Fr.:Fr.) Sacc.) (1,3) and this was confirmed by amplification of species-specific PCR products. The isolates from both hosts were cultured in liquid medium, and DNA was extracted using a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). PCR and multiplex PCR involving D. bryoniae-unique primer sequences D6 and D7S, in combination with primer UNLO28S22, produced the expected band sizes (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of gummy stem blight and black fruit rot of watermelon caused by D. bryoniae in Tanzania, which confirms a previous report of leaf spot on pumpkin (4), and the first report of black fruit rot on pumpkin. The disease was previously an unidentified problem in watermelon and the severe outbreak was associated with favorable weather conditions. References: (1) A. P. Keinath et al. Phytopathology 85:364, 1995. (2) C. A. Koch and R. S. Utkhede. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 26:291, 2004. (3) E. Punithalingam and P. Holliday. No. 332 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1972. (4) E. A. Riley. Mycol. Pap. 75:1, 1960.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Fourteen New Cucurbit Species to Gummy Stem Blight Caused by Stagonosporopsis citrulli Under Field Conditions

Plant Disease ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (7) ◽  
pp. 1365-1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Rennberger ◽  
Anthony P. Keinath
Keyword(s):  
Cucumis Melo ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
African Species ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
First Report ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Susceptibility Data ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Foliar Blight ◽  
Progress Curve

At least 24 species of cucurbits from 13 genera are known to be susceptible to gummy stem blight, caused by three species of Stagonosporopsis. Cankers that are formed on crowns and stems play an important role in the disease cycle and the survival of the pathogen. Fourteen cucurbit species of unknown susceptibility representing 12 genera, four taxonomic tribes, and four geographic origins were inoculated with Stagonosporopsis citrulli in Charleston, SC, in spring 2015, spring 2016, and fall 2016 to evaluate their level of susceptibility to gummy stem blight and the ability of the pathogen to reproduce on crown cankers. An additional species, Cucumis melo, was included as a reference due to its known high susceptibility. Data sets of area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for foliar severity and crown cankers, final percentage of diseased leaf area, final percentage of plants with cankers, final percentage of plants with fruiting bodies, and rates of increase in canker incidence were analyzed to evaluate susceptibility. Results were similar for datasets of AUDPC and final ratings but there were more differences for AUDPC. In all experiments, Apodanthera sagittifolia, Ecballium elaterium, and Kedrostis leloja were at least as susceptible to foliar blight as the reference C. melo. K. leloja was as susceptible to crown cankers as C. melo in all experiments and A. sagittifolia and E. elaterium were among the species most susceptible to crown cankers in two experiments. Coccinia grandis was highly resistant to gummy stem blight and had a few cankers only in fall 2016. Sicana odorifera and Zehneria pallidinervia also consistently grouped with the most resistant species. Incidence of crown cankers on Cucumis melo and K. leloja increased at the fastest rate of all species in all experiments and had, along with E. elaterium, the highest incidence of crowns with fruiting bodies. In general, the most susceptible species also were most suitable for reproduction of the pathogen and had the fastest disease progression. The tribes Benincaseae and Cucurbiteae had consistently lower levels of foliar blight than Bryonieae and Coniandreae. The tribe Benincaseae had a consistently lower AUDPC for canker incidence than Bryonieae and Coniandreae. The species originating from Europe (E. elaterium) was consistently most susceptible to both symptoms, while African species grouped with the least susceptible species in all experiments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of susceptibility to gummy stem blight of 14 species and the first report of susceptibility of the cucurbit tribes Coniandreae and Gomphogyneae. This expands the host range of Stagonosporopsis citrulli to 37 species representing 21 genera and seven tribes in the family Cucurbitaceae. This study demonstrates the importance of crown cankers as reproductive sites for S. citrulli.

Factors Promoting Pycnidia Production of Didymella bryoniae, the Causal of Gummy Stem Blight in Cucurbits

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-187
Author(s):  
Abdel-Fattah El-Wakil ◽  
Amal Khalil ◽  
Ibrahim El -Abbasi
Keyword(s):  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight

Boscalid Insensitivity Documented in Didymella bryoniae Isolated from Watermelon in Florida and North Carolina

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Katherine L. Stevenson ◽  
Anthony P. Keinath ◽  
Anna Thomas ◽  
David B. Langston ◽  
Pamela D. Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Triazole Fungicides ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Commercial Mixture

The fungicide Pristine, a commercial mixture of pyraclostrobin and boscalid, has been used widely on watermelon and other cucurbits to control gummy stem blight, caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae. Since 2007, isolates of D. bryoniae insensitive to boscalid have been found in Georgia, Indiana, and South Carolina. Most isolates of D. bryoniae obtained in 2009 and 2010 from diseased watermelon leaves collected in several counties in Florida and North Carolina were found to be insensitive to boscalid using in vitro assays. Gummy stem blight would not be effectively managed with Pristine in any of the counties where samples were collected due to the high frequency of insensitivity to boscalid. Fortunately growers can instead use several triazole fungicides registered for use on cucurbits since 2009. Accepted for publication 30 March 2012. Published 18 May 2012.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Fungicide Sensitivity and Control of Gummy Stem Blight of Watermelon Under Field Conditions

Plant Disease ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (12) ◽  
pp. 1780-1784 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Thomas ◽  
D. B. Langston ◽  
H. F. Sanders ◽  
K. L. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Fungicide Resistance ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Fungicide Sensitivity ◽  
Thiophanate Methyl ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
And Control

Gummy stem blight (GSB), caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae, is the most destructive disease of watermelon and is managed primarily with fungicides. D. bryoniae has developed resistance to many fungicides that were once very effective, including azoxystrobin, boscalid, and thiophanate-methyl. Field experiments were conducted in Tifton (TN) and Reidsville (RV), GA in 2009 and 2010 to establish a relationship between frequency of resistance to a fungicide based on in vitro assays and its efficacy in the management of GSB. Frequency of resistance to boscalid, thiophanate-methyl, and azoxystrobin was >0.80 in isolates collected from nontreated plots in both locations and years. All isolates collected after six applications of boscalid, thiophanate-methyl, or azoxystrobin were resistant to the respective fungicide. All isolates collected from treated and nontreated plots were sensitive to tebuconazole and difenoconazole. GSB severity was assessed on a weekly basis from 63 days after planting. GSB severity in plots treated with boscalid, thiophanate-methyl, or azoxystrobin was not significantly different from that in the nontreated plots (39%, TN-2009; 45%, TN-2010; and 16%, RV-2010). GSB severity in tebuconazole-treated plots (27%, TN-2009; 14%, TN-2010; and 4%, RV-2010) was significantly lower than all other treatments and the nontreated control. There was a consistent negative association between frequency of fungicide resistance and disease control in the field. Thus, knowledge of the frequency of fungicide resistance in the pathogen population will be helpful in selecting the most effective fungicides for the management of GSB in watermelon fields.

scholarly journals Baseline Sensitivity of Didymella bryoniae to Cyprodinil and Fludioxonil and Field Efficacy of these Fungicides Against Isolates Resistant to Pyraclostrobin and Boscalid

Plant Disease ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 815-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Keinath
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Didymella Bryoniae ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Baseline Sensitivity ◽  
Qoi Fungicides ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Gummy Stem Blight ◽  
Development Of Resistance

To prevent yield reductions from gummy stem blight, fungicides often must be applied to watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo). Didymella bryoniae, the ascomycete fungus that causes gummy stem blight, is resistant to thiophanate-methyl, quinone-outside inhibitors (QoI), boscalid, and penthiopyrad. In place of these fungicides, premixtures of cyprodinil and fludioxonil (Switch 62.5WG) or cyprodinil and difenoconazole (Inspire Super 2.82SC) are used. The objectives of this study were to examine baseline isolates of D. bryoniae for sensitivity to cyprodinil and fludioxonil and to determine the efficacy of cyprodinil-fludioxonil and cyprodinil-difenoconazole against isolates resistant to QoI fungicides and boscalid. Colony diameters of 146 isolates of D. bryoniae collected in South Carolina and other U.S. states prior to 2008 were measured on glucose minimal medium amended with cyprodinil or fludioxonil. Mean effective concentration values that reduced relative colony diameter by 50% were 0.052 and 0.099 mg/liter cyprodinil and fludioxonil, respectively. In autumn 2008, 2009, and 2011, field-grown watermelon inoculated with isolates resistant to QoI fungicides and boscalid was treated with boscalid-pyraclostrobin alternated with chlorothalonil, cyprodinil-fludioxonil alternated with chlorothalonil, cyprodinil-difenoconazole alternated with chlorothalonil, tebuconazole alternated with chlorothalonil, chlorothalonil, or water. In 2008 and 2011, both cyprodinil treatments reduced disease severity compared with the water control treatment and chlorothalonil alone. In 2008 and 2009, cyprodinil-fludioxonil reduced severity compared with boscalid-pyraclostrobin and, in 2008, cyprodinil-difenoconazole and tebuconazole also did. Use of cyprodinil-fludioxonil should control gummy stem blight effectively and may delay development of resistance to cyprodinil and fludioxonil in D. bryoniae. However, because Botrytis cinerea became resistant to both cyprodinil and fludioxonil after multiple applications of cyprodinil-fludioxonil per season, prudent fungicide rotations should be followed when using cyprodinil-containing fungicides against D. bryoniae.

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