Choanephora Fruit Rot of Cucurbit Crops
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Choanephora fruit rot (Choanephora cucurbitarum) is commonly seen on summer squashes, and may occur on cucumber and pumpkin. Symptoms appear on flowers and fruit, beginning mostly at the blossom end and developing a soft, wet rot. Profuse, fuzzy growth may be observed. It later produces large masses of black, spore-forming structures. Infected flowers serve as a bridge for the fungus to colonize fruit.
Choanephora on yellow squash.
(Photo: John Hartman, University of Kentucky)
Choanephora on yellow squash.
(Photo: Kenny Seebold, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- No practical controls are available, although fungicides may reduce incidence.
- Practices that reduce leaf wetness (avoiding overhead irrigation or timing overhead watering to allow for leaf drying) can be of benefit.
