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Disease Detection and Losses

The Role of Monosporascus eutypoides in a Collapse of Melon Plants in an Arid Area of Israel. R. Reuveni, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya’ar Experiment Station, Haifa Post 31999; J. Krikun(2), and U. Shani(3). (2)Gilat Experiment Station, Mobile Post, Negev 85-280; (3)Yotvata Experiment Station, Mobile Post, Eilot; Israel. Phytopathology 73:1223-1226. Accepted for publication 16 May 1983. Copyright 1983 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-73-1223.

The role of the loculoascomycete Monosporascus eutypoides in a collapse of melon (Cucumis melo) plants was evaluated. Field trials and inoculation experiments showed that the organism was a primary pathogen in an extremely hot and arid area of Israel. The fungus caused a root rot that led to an early collapse of the plants. Fumigation of soil with methyl bromide, metham-sodium, and ethylene dibromide with or without chloropicrin delayed symptom expression, the extent of which depended on the efficacy of the treatment. The relation between the thermophilic nature of the pathogen and the environment in which it is found is discussed.