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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #238349
Title: RESPONSE OF U. S. CUCUMIS MELO PLANT INTRODUCTIONS TO PHYTOPHTHORA CAPSICI

Author
item Donahoo, Ryan
item Kousik, Chandrasekar - Shaker
item Thies, Judy

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2009
Publication Date: 7/26/2009
Citation: Donahoo, R.S., Kousik, C.S., Thies, J.A. 2009. Response of U. S. Cucumis Melo Plant Introductions to Phytophthora Capsici. Phytopathology. 99:S29.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Phytophthora capsici is distributed worldwide, and is an aggressive pathogen with a broad host range infecting solanaceous, leguminaceous, and cucurbitaceous crops. Over the past two decades, increased incidence of Phytophthora blight, particularly in eastern states, has threatened production of many vegetable crops. Cucumis melo (honeydew and cantaloupe), while especially susceptible to fruit rot, is also susceptible to crown/root rot. Currently, little is known about host resistance to P. capsici in C. melo. To assess resistance in C. melo seedlings, 318 C. melo US Plant Introductions (PIs) from diverse geographic locations and two commercial hybrid cultivars (Athena and Dinero) were grown under greenhouse conditions. At the three to four leaf stage, seedlings were inoculated with a five isolate zoospore suspension (1.0 x 104) at the crown and monitored for six weeks. All the susceptible checks (‘Athena’ and ‘Dinero’) died within seven days post inoculation. Several PIs (PI 181748, PI 182964, and PI 273438) succumbed earlier than Athena and Dinero due to crown rot. Eighty seven PIs (27%) appeared to have some degree of tolerance to P. capsici. The level of resistance to P. capsici within individual PIs was variable. The 87 PIs selected from the primary screen are currently being re-screened and the results of this study will be presented.