Identification of Fusarium Species Causing Watermelon Fruit Rot
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is one of the most significant economic fruits among the family Cucurbitaceae, growing in the Republic of Serbia. However, fruit rot caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens poses a significant threat to watermelon production globally, resulting in substantial economic losses. In July 2024, fruit rot was observed in watermelons in the AP Vojvodina (Despotovo, Serbia), with disease incidence ranging from 5-10%. Symptoms included water-soaked brown lesions on the fruit's surface, which eventually expanded and led to internal decay. From the collected samples, ten fungal isolates belonging to the genus Fusarium were obtained on PDA medium. These isolates exhibited white to light red mycelia and produced microconidia, macroconidia and chlamydospores. Morphological analysis identified all watermelon monoconidial isolates as F. oxysporum. Pathogenicity was confirmed on cucumber and squash fruits. Based on the results and host specificity the findings of this study suggest that F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) is responsible for the fruit rot disease in watermelons. This fungus can be transmitted through seeds and can survive in the soil for long periods; chlamydospores can remain viable for over a decade without a host, making contaminated soil a continual source of infection. FON can affect cucurbits at any growth stage, leading to symptoms such as seedling damping-off, plant stunting, death, and fruit rot. To manage FON, several strategies have been implemented, such as utilizing resistant cultivars, practicing crop rotation, applying chemical treatments, and grafting. However, an effective control measure for FON in cucurbits production is still lacking.
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7125088388