Healthy fields. Healthy yields
Watermelons are susceptible to diseases like Melon Vine Decline (Monosporascus Cannonballus), Fusarium Wilt (Usarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Niveum), and Damping Off (Pythium Species / Rhizoctonia Solani).
Melon Vine Decline
Melon Vine Decline sets in early, but is usually only discovered above ground when too little is too late, where it’s responsible for the collapse of entire plants late in the season. The disease affects the roots of the watermelon plant, causing necrosis in smaller roots and lesions in larger ones.
Fusarium Wilt is one of the most severe watermelon diseases, often remaining viable in the soil for years if left untreated. The fungus causes wilting and discolouration of vascular tissue, as well as dark brown lesions on the side of stems.
The pathogens that cause Damping Off can be found in almost any soil, though wet soil, high humidity, and cloudy days are especially favourable conditions for the disease. Crops that have ‘damped-off’ usually suffer from lesions on stems and roots, wilting and even death.