HOST-RANGE OF ACREMONIUM-CUCURBITACEARUM, CAUSE OF ACREMONIUM COLLAPSE OF MUSKMELON

The pathogenicity of Acremonium cucurbitacearum to 31 cucurbits, 18 cr op plant species, and 15 weed species was evaluated under greenhouse c onditions. This study demonstrates that many other cucurbits in additi on to muskmelon and watermelon can potentially serve as hosts of A. cu curbitacearum. Using a disease severity index (DSI), all muskmelon and watermelon cultivars were ranked as susceptible or highly susceptible , with the exception of honeydew cultivar TAM Dew Improved, which rank ed resistant in one study. Highly resistant cucurbits included Cucurbi ta maxima (autumn squash), Luffa acutangula, L. aegyptiaca (sponge gou rd) and Benincasa hispida (ash gourd). Cyclanthera pedata and Cucumis miriocarpus were rated as resistant. The percentage recovery of A. cuc urbitacearum ranged from 8% to 100% and tended to be higher in plants with a higher DSI. Other crops and weed species common to muskmelon pr oduction fields are not likely to be involved in the perpetuation or p ropagation of the fungus.