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Title: THE IMPACT OF VINE DECLINES ON MUSKMELON PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Author
item Bruton, Benny
item MILLER, M - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Central American countries have become major production areas of muskmelons destined for export to Europe and the United States during the winter months. Double cropping in the same fields for a number of years has created serious vine decline diseases in some areas reducing yield to 700-1 oxes/hectare. Pythium spp. were isolated from ca. 50% of the plants showing signs of vine decline in the San Lorenzo area of Honduras. Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Fusarium semitectum were isolated from ca. 30% of the plants. In Guatemala, F. semitectum was isolated from ca. 30% of the plants collected from the Capco area. R. solani and Rhizopycnis vagum were isolated from ca. 20% of the plants. Monosporascus cannonballus was isolated from in some fields in both areas but is not considered to be a primary causal agent of vine decline. Communications with melon personnel from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Mexico indicate a similar vine decline disease complex in those countries. The significance of these pathogens will be discussed.