Survey of Fusarium spp. Associated with Fruit Rot of Pumpkin in Ohio

Abstract

From 2000 to 2002 commercial pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) fields in Ohio were surveyed for Fusarium fruit rot. From six counties in 2000, 2001, and 2002, a total of 43 isolates from eight farms, 84 isolates from nine farms, and 40 isolates from six farms were collected, respectively. Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1 was the most commonly isolated Fusarium species from infected pumpkin fruit in Ohio. Other Fusaria isolated from infected fruit included F. oxysporum, F. graminearum, and F. acuminatum. A survey of infected pumpkin fruit in the field and inoculation studies of mature, healthy pumpkin cultivar Magic Lantern in the laboratory resulted in three types of fruit rot symptoms. Type 1, caused by F. oxysporum and F. acuminatum, resulted in a slow-expanding rot just below the rind surface of the infected fruit. Type 2, caused by F. graminearum, resulted in an expanding, slightly sunken, irregular rot of the rind surface. Type 3, caused by F. solani resulted in expanding, circular sunken lesions on the fruit surface bearing white to tan sporodochia. This is the first report of F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1, F. oxysporum, F. acuminatum, and F. graminearum causing fruit rot of pumpkin in Ohio. Accepted for publication 26 July 2010. Published 27 August 2010.