POSTHARVEST DECAY OF CANTALOUPE CAUSED BY EPICOCCUM-NIGRUM

A decay causing red discoloration in cantaloupe fruit was observed in postharvest storage studies and on occasion has been involved in load rejection of melons grown in southeastern Oklahoma. Epicoccum nigrum w as consistently isolated from areas showing the red discoloration. The fungus was also pathogenic on fruit of cucumber, tomato, apple, and p ear. Comparison of the cantaloupe isolate of E. nigrum with isolates f rom Pennisetum flaccidum and Pisum sativum indicated that all were sim ilar if not identical, based on host range and decay characteristics o n the previously mentioned fruit. Light and scanning electron microsco py revealed that sporodochia and conidia were typical of E. nigrum. Ra dial growth was greatest on potato-dextrose agar at 20 C and limited a t 1, 5, and 30 C. The fungus remained viable in screwcap culture tubes of soilless medium (potting mix) for 4 yr at about 20 C. A proposed c ommon name for the disease is red rot.