D. S. Egel and R. D. Martyn. 2007. Fusarium wilt of watermelon and other cucurbits. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2007-0122-01

DISEASE:  Fusarium wilt of watermelon and other cucurbits.

PATHOGEN:  Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend:Fr. (emend. Snyd. & Hans.) f. sp. niveum (E.F. Sm.), f. sp. melonis (Leach & Curr.), and f. sp. cucumerinum (J.H. Owen)

HOSTS: Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]; Melon (Cucumis melo L.); Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Authors
Daniel S. Egel and Ray D. Martyn
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

The Cucurbitaceae plant family is affected by several vascular wilt diseases caused by different formae speciales of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, which are morphologically similar, but generally host-specific. The most economically important of these attack watermelon, muskmelon, or cucumber. The cucurbit wilt fusaria are similar in terms of their biology, epidemiology and management. Consequently, Fusarium wilt of watermelon, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, is described here as an example of the group. Fusarium wilt of watermelon is one of the oldest described Fusarium wilt diseases and the most economically important disease of watermelon worldwide. It occurs on every continent except Antarctica and new races of the pathogen continue to impact production in many areas around the world. Long-term survival of the pathogen in the soil and the evolution of new races make management of Fusarium wilt difficult.

Fusarium wilt of watermelon caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Courtesy D.S. Egel)