Anthracnose of cucurbits (Colletotrichum lagenarium) – identify and control

Anthracnose-of-cucurbits-control

Anthracnose of cucurbits (Colletotrichum lagenarium) is a disease that occurs frequently in crops of cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins, manifesting with different intensities which depend on climatic conditions.

Symptoms. The disease manifests itself in all phases of development, on all the above-ground organs (leaves, stems, fruits). Immediately after the plant emerges, yellow-green spots appear on the cotyledons and hypocotyl, then these spots become brown. They are at first superficial, then they deepen in the tissues, which in favorable conditions for the disease, determine the death of the seedlings. On the true leaves, irregular spots appear, yellow-green at first, then they turn pink. In a more developed phase of the disease, the spots converge and cover large areas of the leaf, which necrotizes, leading to premature defoliation of the plants.

Similar spots can be seen on the stems as well. The specific infection is manifested on the fruit, on which large, circular spots of 1-2 cm in diameter tend to appear. At first, they are yellowish, then greyish-brown and deepened in the epicarp. When the atmospheric humidity is high, concentric circles representing the mushroom fruiting bodies, pink in color, appear near the spots.
The tissues near the spots soften and quickly rot.

PathogenColletotrichum lagenarium overwinters from year to year in the form of resistant conidia and mycelia in the remains of the attacked plants. The fungus spreads through the growing season through conidia. They are spread by water droplets, insects, or wind.

Prevention and control. It is recommended to gather the stems after harvesting, burying the plant debris by deep plowing, crop rotation.
To control anthracnose of cucurbits, treatments with systemic or contact fungicides are recommended. Systemic fungicides will be applied at intervals of 10-14 days. Those with contact fungicides, at 6-8 days intervals.

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Anthracnose of cucurbits (Colletotrichum lagenarium) – identify and control
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