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Title: ASSOCIATION OF A STAGONOSPORA-LIKE FUNGUS ON ROOTS OF MELONS EXHIBITING VINE DECLINE SYMPTOMS

Author
item MILLER, M - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Bruton, Benny
item FARR, D - USDA-APHIS, BELTSVILLE

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Monosporascus cannonballus is the major causal agent of melon vine decline in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV)of Texas; however, in certain fields the decline syndrome can not be attributed to this fungus. In 1995, a Stagonospora-like fungus was isolated from 13-32% of roots of 8 week old cantaloupe ('Magnum 45'), honeydew ('Honey Brew' and 'Morning Ice'), and watermelon ('Jubilee II') plants from a field with a history of vine decline disease of unknown etiology. The frequency of this species, made from subsequent, biweekly isolations, was similar up through plant maturity. 'Magnum 45' plants were grown in soil inoculated with 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200, 6,400, or 12,800 CFU's/g of soil for 28 da. Disease reaction to 6 fungal isolates demonstrated significantly (P=.0001) more root necrosis and less leaf area than non-inoculated plants. TX951120 from cantaloupe roots was the most aggressive isolate. These data indicate that tthe Stagonospora-like fungus is pathogenic on melon and, thus, may be involved in a vine decline disease complex in the LRGV.