An Expanded Host Range for the Muskmelon PathogenMonosporascus cannonballus

Advances in the Biology and Management of Monosporascus Vine Decline and Wilt of Melons and Other Cucurbits

“…Mertely et al (1993a) observed this in Cucurbita spp., while Wolff and Miller (1998) and Crosby (2000b,c) noted more vigorous root systems in field tolerant C. melo lines, such as 'Deltex', and some breeding lines, such as 'TAES 1207.' However, Crosby (2000b) also observed some lines, such as PI403994, which had vigorous root systems but were highly susceptible to M. cannonballus under controlled inoculations.…”

“…(Malloch and Cain 1971), a native desert plant, Lepidium lasiocarpum (Stanghellini et al 1996), and several plants in sand flats and salt marshes in Spain (Collado et al 2002). Mertely et al (1993a) observed fertile perithecia on the roots of artificially inoculated, noncucurbit plants and were able to isolate M. cannonballus from the roots of alfalfa, bean, sugar beet, corn, sorghum, and wheat. That Monosporascus spp.…”

“…The first confirmed report of its pathogenicity to melon was in 1983 in Israel . Shortly afterward, watermelons also were shown to be susceptible (Krikun 1985;Mertely et al 1993a). M. cannonballus can infect other cucurbits, including cucumbers, squashes, and gourds (Uematsu et al 1992;Mertely et al 1993a;Kwon et al 2001) as well as some noncucurbit plants, although disease symptoms are rarely observed in the field except on melon and watermelon.…”

“…Greater levels of resistance were reported in Cucurbita spp. compared to melon or watermelon by Mertely et al (1993a) and . Wolf and Miller (1998) screened numerous commercial melon accessions and found differences in the amount of vine decline in infested field plots.…”

“…Interspecific grafting of melons with other cucurbits has the potential to reduce damage caused by M. cannonballus and other soilborne pathogens (Cohen et al 2007;Davis et al 2008). Most cucurbits other than melon and watermelon reportedly do not experience much disease in the field due to M. cannonballus, in spite of the fact that they are susceptible (Uematsu et al 1992;Mertely et al 1993a;Beltr an et al 2008). This is generally believed to be due to the extensive root systems produced by plants in the genera Cucurbita and Lagenaria, which can provide sufficient support to the vines and fruits in spite of some infection.…”