Diseases

Watermelon Anthracnose

Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai

A fungal disease of watermelon caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare, affecting all aerial plant organs and characterized by the appearance of sunken lesions with a distinct pink or orange sporulation.

In the reference 257 varieties crop Watermelon, where this is mentioned in the description.

The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare, also known as Colletotrichum lagenarium. The pathogen is represented by several physiological races, among which Race 2 poses a particular threat to commercial cultivars, as it is capable of overcoming the resistance effective against Race 1.

Symptoms of infection appear on all aerial parts of the plant. Yellow-brown spots, which become covered with sporulation under high humidity conditions, form on leaves and cotyledons; sunken dark lesions appear on stems and petioles, leading to vine breakage. Fruit infection is accompanied by the development of sunken lesions, deformation, and a decline in flavor quality.

Genetic resistance of watermelon to this pathogen is associated with the presence of specific loci, in particular the dominant Ar-1 gene, which provides resistance to Race 1. Breeding for resistance is complicated by the variability of the fungus and the need to develop cultivars with complex protection.

General information about the subject — on the page Anthracnose.

Sources8

Varieties of Watermelon mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.