Vegetable and Fruit Crops Pathology

I. Souther Blight of Tomato

Southern blight, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, was observed in southern Illinois in a commercial tomato field. Symptoms of southern blight of tomato usually appear on plant parts in or near the soil. Plants of any age may be attacked, if environmental conditions are suitable. The most common symptom is a brown to black rot of the stem, which develops near the soil line. The lesion develops rapidly, completely girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilt of all aboveground parts. Under moist conditions, an abundance of white, robust mycelium develops on the lesion and sometimes extends several centimeters up the stem of a mature plant. Tan to reddish brown, spherical sclerotia with an average diameter of 1-2 mm appear on the mycelial mat after a few days. For more information on southern blight of tomato, click here.

II. Downy Mildew of Cucurbits

Downy mildew, caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, affects all cucurbit crops. In Illinois, this disease usually occurs toward the end of the season. There has been no report of incedence of downy mildew in Illinois in 2005 yet. Downy mildew, however, has been reported on cucurbit crops eastern US, from Florida up to New Jersey. Periodically scouting cucurbit fields for presence of downy mildew symptoms would help to effectively control this disease. For more information on downy mildew of cucurbits, click here.

III. Illinois 2005 Pumpkin Field Day

Illinois 2005 Pumpkin Field Day will be held at Belleville, Illinois, on September 8. Commercial pumpkin growers and others interested people in pumpkin production are encouraged to come to participate in this event. This event provides attendees with an opportunity to listen to researchers and extension specialists discuss issues in pumpkin production as well as to showcase on-going pumpkin field research. Speakers from the University of Illinois, UI Extension and Southern Illinois University will be on hand. For more information on Illinois 2005 Pumpkin Field Day, click here.

IV. Identifying and Manageing Cucurbit Pests

The publication Identifying and Managing Cucurbit Pests; Diseses, Insects, and Weeds in now available. To Place on order call 1-800-345-6087 or visit the website www.PublicationsPlus.uiuc.edu. For more information, click here.

July 15, 2005
	I. Souther Blight of Tomato Southern blight, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, was observed in southern Illinois in a commercial tomato field. Symptoms of southern blight of tomato usually appear on plant parts in or near the soil. Plants of any age may be attacked, if environmental conditions are suitable. The most common symptom is a brown to black rot of the stem, which develops near the soil line. The lesion develops rapidly, completely girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilt of all aboveground parts. Under moist conditions, an abundance of white, robust mycelium develops on the lesion and sometimes extends several centimeters up the stem of a mature plant. Tan to reddish brown, spherical sclerotia with an average diameter of 1-2 mm appear on the mycelial mat after a few days. For more information on southern blight of tomato, click *here. II. Downy Mildew of Cucurbits Downy mildew, caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, affects all cucurbit crops. In Illinois, this disease usually occurs toward the end of the season. There has been no report of incedence of downy mildew in Illinois in 2005 yet. Downy mildew, however, has been reported on cucurbit crops eastern US, from Florida up to New Jersey. Periodically scouting cucurbit fields for presence of downy mildew symptoms would help to effectively control this disease. For more information on downy mildew of cucurbits, click here. III. Illinois 2005 Pumpkin Field Day Illinois 2005 Pumpkin Field Day will be held at Belleville, Illinois, on September 8. Commercial pumpkin growers and others interested people in pumpkin production are encouraged to come to participate in this event. This event provides attendees with an opportunity to listen to researchers and extension specialists discuss issues in pumpkin production as well as to showcase on-going pumpkin field research. Speakers from the University of Illinois, UI Extension and Southern Illinois University will be on hand. For more information on Illinois 2005 Pumpkin Field Day, click here. IV. Identifying and Manageing Cucurbit Pests The publication Identifying and Managing Cucurbit Pests; Diseses, Insects, and Weeds* in now available. To Place on order call 1-800-345-6087 or visit the website www.PublicationsPlus.uiuc.edu. For more information, click here.