

FRAC group 3 fungicides are very effective, while options in FRAC groups 7, 9, 11, and 12 can also be used in rotation. Limit wounds and damage to plants during the growing season to reduce points of entry for the pathogen.Control insects and powdery mildew as they can predispose plants to gummy stem blight.Plow under plant debris after completion of the season to allow it to completely decompose and reduce the amount of the pathogen that overwinters.Ensure that volunteer cucurbits are removed during these periods. Rotate to crops other than cucurbits for 2 to 4 years.
Gummy stem blight free#
Gummy stem blight cracked#
Lesions will eventually progress to be dry, cracked and tan. Lesions on veins, stems, and vines can initially appear water-soaked and orange-brown in color. Circular tan-to-brown lesions may begin to develop near the leaf edges, progressing primarily along the veins in older plants (Figure 1). Stems may become girdled resulting in plant death. Gummy Stem Blight SymptomsĮmerging seedlings may exhibit darkened water-soaked spots on leaves and stems, which later develop into dry, tan/brown lesions. Gummy stem blight is one of the most destructive diseases of watermelon in tropical and subtropical regions, such as the southeastern U.S. The same pathogen may infect fruit on the vine and in storage, and is commonly known as black rot. This disease is caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae, which can infect leaves, stems, and vines at all plant developmental stages. Commercial producers and homeowners who grow cucurbits, such as cantaloupe, watermelon and cucumber, could suffer heavy losses from gummy stem blight.
