Scientific Research

Watermelon Vine Decline and Fruit Rot
Pam Roberts, Rosa M. Muchovej, Benny Bruton, Carlye Baker, Scott Adkins

In Spring 2003 and 2004 in Southwest Florida and in Fall 2003 and 2004 in West Central Florida (Manatee County area), a severe watermelon vine decline occurred as the crop approached harvest or soon after the first harvest. Foliar symptoms included a slight yellowing, wilting of the vines, scorched and brown leaves, premature leaf loss, ... Read Full Article

Vine Decline research steps
by Bob Morrissey

A combined effort between the FWA and NWA is progressing to gain momentum and begin an aggressive research effort with the collaborative efforts of Dr. Pam Roberts – UF/IFAS, Dr. Benny Bruton – USDA (Lane, OK) and Scott Adkins – USDA (Ft. Pierce, FL). The NWPB has also pledged some financial support to this effort. ... Read Full Article

Phytophthora Fruit Rot – A Menace to Watermelon Production
Bill Jester, Horticultural Science Department and Gerald Holmes, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University

An ugly profit-robbing disease reared its head in 2003 on the east coast of the United States. The Eastern North Carolina watermelon production region experienced unusually high rainfall in the months of June, July and August. The rains were frequent and the ground had very little time to dry out. Over 2,000 acres of watermelo ... Read Full Article

Management of GSB on Watermelon Transplants with Seed Applied Fungicides and Field Fungicide Programs Involving Pristine
Dr. Kenneth Seebold1 and Dr. David Langston2, 1University of Kentucky at Lexington and 2University of Georgia at Tifton

Gummy stem blight (GSB), caused by Didymella bryoniae, is the most destructive disease of watermelons and cantaloupes in Georgia. Losses to GSB are high each year, and the disease has proven difficult to control with fungicides and cultural practices. Management options for control of GSB in the field are rotation, deep turnin ... Read Full Article

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