Fusarium Crown & Foot Rot of Cucurbit Crops
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Fusarium crown and foot rot (Fusarium solani) affects squash and pumpkin primarily. The wilting of one or more leaves is the first symptom, followed by plant collapse. A dark, necrotic canker is normally resent at the soil line (crown of plant) and can extend into the main root. Sporulation, white to pink in color, may be present on infected tissue. Affected tissue may take on a “shredded” appearance in later stages as soft tissues degrade, leaving only the vascular bundles behind.
Fusarium crown and foot rot.
(Photo: Gerald Brust, University of Maryland)
Management:
- Crop rotation
- Fungicides (seed-applied)
