Observations on the Control of Phomopsis Root Rot of Cucumber

Abstract

SUMMARYA description is given of the symptoms of black root rot of cucumber caused by the fungus Phomopsis sclerotioides. Cucumber Plants grown on straw bales ‘made‐up’ with infested border soil soon became diseased and yields were poor irrespective of any superimposed treatment. Plants grown on straw bales ‘made‐up’ with Levington compost gave much higher yields. Physical isolation of the beds using polythene sheeting reduced root infection whereas neither methyl bromide at 1·5 lb per 100 sq. ft (0·681 kg per 9·3 sq. m), nor any of the fungicidal drenches gave control of the disease. Plants grafted onto Curcurbita ficifolia achieved a good yield at the end of the season but the level of root rotting was still high. Ten cucumber cultivars were tested for resistance to P. sclerotioides but none showed any resistance.