Melons, Pumpkins, Cantaloupes

Last week I was in a pumpkin field that had foliar symptoms of a Potyvirus (Fig. 1), but also had some other strange foliar symptoms (Fig. 2). Foliar samples were sent off to Agdia, Inc. (Elkhart, IN) for virus testing. All samples tested positive for a potyvirus (most likely watermelon mosaic virus), while one field tested positive for a virus called Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV). MNSV is in a family of viruses called carmoviruses, which have been reported worldwide, primarily in hydroponic and greenhouse cucurbit production.

What will be discussed 1.Field problems of early season virus infections 2.Aphid and beetle studies 3.Aphid transmission of viruses 4.Beetle transmission of viruses 5.Recommendations

Evaluation of fungicides for management of foliar diseases on watermelon, 2016.

Evaluation of Proline and Topsin fungicides for management of Fusarium wilt on watermelon, 2015

Evaluation of fungicides for management of foliar diseases on watermelon, 2015

Field evaluation of muskmelon cultivars for susceptibility to anthracnose, powdery mildew and downy mildew when grown in organic no-till and plastic-mulch production systems in Maryland, 2015

Evaluation of fungicides and Melcast forecasting program for watermelon disease management, 2014

Evaluation of fungicides for management of foliar diseases on watermelon, 2014

Field evaluation of triploid cultivars for resistance to Fusarium wilt of watermelon in Maryland, 2014

I do not have to tell you that these frequent and heavy rains we have been having over the last 2-3 weeks have really increased the amount of foliar and at times soil diseases in our vegetable crops. In cucurbits foliar diseases such as Alternaria, gummy stem blight and an odd one Cercospora (figs 1a, 1b) all have been found causing moderate to severe defoliation in some fields that are heavy with fruit.