Weeds as alternative hosts of melon collapse pathogens

Abstract

The vine collapse is an important melon (Cucumis melo) disease in Brazil and worldwide. Little is known about the importance of weeds as alternative host of melon collapse pathogens. During this research, the prevalent weeds were collected in four fields of melon production in the Brazilian Northeast during the period between two consecutive growing seasons and the fungi associated with the root systems were isolated in pure culture. The weeds collected belonged to 16 species and 11 botanical families. Among the fungi causing melon vine collapse, from weed roots were isolated Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani. The first fungi was observed in all fields and isolated from 13 weed species, any previously registered as fungi host, while the second was detected only in a single botanical species and one field. Therefore, weed control in between melon growing seasons is essential for success in the management of the vine collapse of the melon when M. phaseolina predominates among the possible root pathogens.