First Report of Plectosporium Blight on Pumpkin Caused by Plectosporium tabacinum in Alabama

Plant Disease
J M Mullen, E J Sikora

Abstract

In October of 2001, Plectosporium tabacinum (van Beyma) M.E. Palm, W. Gams, & H.I. Nirenberg (formerly known as Microdochium tabacinum (von Arx, 1984) and Fusarium tabacinum (Gams & Gerlagh, 1968)) was observed in field plantings of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) in Cullman and Jackson counties in north Alabama. Symptoms were white or tan, spindle-shaped lesions on the stems and leaf petioles and slightly raised, corky, white or light brown lesions on pumpkin fruit and fruit stems. Pumpkin symptoms were identical to a previous description of P. tabacinum (published as M. tabacinum) on pumpkin, zucchini, and yellow summer squash (1). Disease severity ranged from less than 10% stem tissue damage on pumpkins in Cullman County to 40 to 45% stem tissue damage on pumpkins in Jackson County. A field section of pumpkins in Jackson County sprayed with azoxystrobin (Quadris 2.08F, 0.20 kg a.i./ha) alternated weekly with chlorothalonil (Bravo Ultrex, 2.44 kg a.i./ha) beginning at vine-run had stem damage of approximately 5% compared to approximately 45% stem damage on pumpkins in an unsprayed field section. A 50% reduction in marketable fruit due to P. tabacinum was observed in the unsprayed field section compared to the section sprayed week...Continue Reading

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