Are Your Cucurbits Infected With Phytophthora Capsici?

— Written By and last updated by Mary Lorscheider
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Several cucurbit fields throughout the state are experiencing problems with Phytophthora capsici fruit and root rot. This is not suprising since rain favors this pathogen and NC has received heavy rainfal this growing season. However, it is important that you determine if P. capsici is in your field since this pathogen can be difficult to control.

P. capsici fruit rot symptoms include water-soaked lesions that are covered in white spores that look like powdered sugar.

Phytophthora capsici fruit rot on watermelon. Note the water-soaked lesion covered with white spores that look like powdered sugar (Photo Dr. Lina Quesada, NCSU Vegetable Pathology Lab).

Phytophthora capsici fruit rot on watermelon. Note the water-soaked lesion covered with white spores that look like powdered sugar (Photo Dr. Lina Quesada, NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab).

P. capsici root rot symtoms include wilting, rot, stunting of the plant and plant death. Some of these symptoms can also be seen when plants have a Pythium or Fusarium root rot infection, and it is important to determine which pathogen is causing disease since control strategies will be different depending on the pathogen. Watermelon and cucumber vines are typically less susceptible to P. capsici than squash. However, all the fruit are highly susceptible, especially if fruit are in direct contact with soil.

Wilting and plant death caused by Phytophthora capsici on squash (Photo Dr. Lina Quesada, NCSU Vegetable Pathology Lab).

Wilting and plant death caused by Phytophthora capsici on squash (Photo Dr. Lina Quesada, NCSU Vegetable Pathology Lab).

It is also possible to see Phytophthora capsici leaf blight symptoms on cucurbits, especially after heavy rains and in areas with standing water or conducive to soil splashing on leaves.

Phytophthora capsici leaf blight on squash leaf (Photo Dr. Lina Quesada, NCSU Vegetable Pathology Lab).

Phytophthora capsici leaf blight on squash leaf (Photo Dr. Lina Quesada, NCSU Vegetable Pathology Lab).

Further information about disease caused by P. capsici and control strategies can be found in the NC Ag Chem Manual. The Vegetable Pathology Lab will continue to publish information about Phytophthora capsici.

Many factors can influence control strategies for P. capsici and in some cases a field-specific approach will be needed to manage disease. If you think P. capsici is infecting your cucurbits please contact your local Extension Agent and send photos and/or physical samples to the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic for assistance.

Written By

Lina Quesada-Ocampo, N.C. Cooperative ExtensionDr. Lina Quesada-OcampoExtension Plant Pathology Specialist (Cucurbits and Sweetpotato) & Professor Call Dr. Lina Email Dr. Lina Entomology & Plant Pathology
NC State Extension, NC State University
Updated on Jan 19, 2024
Was the information on this page helpful? Yes check No close
Scannable QR Code to Access Electronic Version