Articles
Effects of environmental conditions on growth of Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum causing internal fruit rot in cucurbits
Article number
1269_3
Pages
17 – 24
Language
English
Abstract
The Cucurbitaceae are a large and diverse family containing several important commodity crops in many parts of the world.
In recent years, fruit rot caused by Stagonosporopsis spp. became a major disease in both field-grown and greenhouse-grown cucurbits.
Yield losses due to Stagonosporopsis can show seasonal peaks up to 30%. Despite its economic importance, information on growth characteristics of S. cucurbitacearum is limited.
A more profound understanding of the influence of individual environmental factors on growth of the fungus is a first step toward the development of sustainable management strategies to prevent outbreaks of this disease.
Optimal growth of the pathogen occurred in temperatures ranging from 20 to 25°C, and in a neutral and acid (pH 4) environment.
Although S. cucurbitacearum is described as an aerobic fungus, it still showed considerable mycelium growth at low oxygen concentrations.
In recent years, fruit rot caused by Stagonosporopsis spp. became a major disease in both field-grown and greenhouse-grown cucurbits.
Yield losses due to Stagonosporopsis can show seasonal peaks up to 30%. Despite its economic importance, information on growth characteristics of S. cucurbitacearum is limited.
A more profound understanding of the influence of individual environmental factors on growth of the fungus is a first step toward the development of sustainable management strategies to prevent outbreaks of this disease.
Optimal growth of the pathogen occurred in temperatures ranging from 20 to 25°C, and in a neutral and acid (pH 4) environment.
Although S. cucurbitacearum is described as an aerobic fungus, it still showed considerable mycelium growth at low oxygen concentrations.
Authors
S. Van Laethem, M. Frans, R. Aerts, J. Ceusters
Keywords
Didymella bryoniae, fruit rot, Cucurbitacea, mycelial growth, germination
Groups involved
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Commission Banana
- Division Horticulture for Development
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Commission Cultivar Registration
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
Online Articles (39)