Diseases

Verticillium wilt of squash (interspecific hybrids)

Cucurbita maxima Duchesne x Cucurbita moschata Duchesne

A fungal disease of interspecific Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata hybrids caused by the soil-borne pathogen Verticillium dahliae, leading to xylem occlusion and gradual plant decline.

In the reference 10 varieties crop Cucurbita maxima Duchesne x Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, where this is mentioned in the description.

The causal agent of Verticillium wilt in interspecific squash hybrids is the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae. The pathogen enters the plant through the root system and colonizes the xylem vessels, leading to their occlusion and the disruption of the organism's water balance.

The clinical presentation manifests as yellowing and wilting of the lower leaves, which gradually spreads throughout the entire plant. A diagnostic feature is the characteristic browning of the vascular bundles, visible upon cross-sectioning the stem or root.

Specific resistance genes to this pathogen have not yet been described for the aforementioned hybrids. Interspecific hybrids exhibit variable susceptibility to the pathogen, despite their common use as resistant rootstocks for other cucurbit crops.

General information about the subject — on the page Verticillium wilt.

Sources6

Varieties of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne x Cucurbita moschata Duchesne 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.