Outbreak of Fusarium wilt in seedless watermelon seedlings in the Northern Territory, Australia

Abstract

Watermelon Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum was first detected in the Northern Territory, Australia in May 2011. The disease affected seedlings and plants from three triploid seedless watermelon varieties from six locations. Pathogenicity tests were conducted and the fungus was shown to be pathogenic. This outbreak is the first report of Fusarium wilt in triploid seedless watermelons with symptoms similar to bacterial leaf blotch and typical wilt in Australia.