The host-specialized pathogen, Fusarium (Hypomyces) solani f. sp. cucurbitae causes rots of the stem, root, and fruit of cucurbits in many places in the world. The fungus is seed-borne, soil-borne, and sometimes airborne. The individual clone is usually hermaphroditic but has been found in nature in a uni-sexual form. Although the Fusarium is heterothallic, rarely are the two mating types (+ and-) found together. When they are mated, the perithecia may be either red, or white, depending upon the genetic constitution. Races, as distinguished by host response, are not interfertile. Mutations of the normal hermaphrodite may give rise to male, female or neuter forms.