Contamination of Asparagus Flowers and Fruit by Airborne Spores of Fusarium moniliforme. R. L. Gilbertson, Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003. W. J. Manning, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003. Plant Dis. 67:1003-1004. Accepted for publication 18 March 1983. Copyright 1983 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-1003.

Airborne spores of Fusarium moniliforme were found in two asparagus fields in western Massachusetts. F. moniliforme was isolated from female flowers, fruit, and seed of plants growing in commercial fields. Vascular colonization was not found in branchlets bearing contaminated flowers or fruit. F. moniliforme also was isolated from 1-yr-old volunteer asparagus plants, which originated from fallen fruit of the previous growing season. Airborne spores of F. moniliforme appear to be the source of contamination of asparagus flowers, fruit, and ultimately, the seed.