How to Manage Pests

Fusarium wilt on cantaloupe—Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis

In areas where disease inoculum is high, seedlings may wilt. However, symptoms generally appear after fruit is set and consist of yellowing of a runner on one side of the plant followed rapidly by wilting of the infected runner. Runner lesions develop and extend from the crown to the tips. Other runners collapse in a similar manner and whole plant collapse occurs rapidly. External lesions may develop on roots accompanied by red gumming at or just below the soil surface. Internally, a dark red brown vascular discoloration may extend from roots to runners.

Solutions

The fungus that causes Fusarium wilt survives in the soil and enters plants through roots. Use clean tools after working in the garden area so as not to spread the disease. Some varieties may show resistance.

Vascular discoloration of cantaloupe stems