Developing IPM Strategies for All Diseases of Pumpkins

In the past seven year, research studies were conducted to develop IPM strategies for pumpkin diseases. The research more focused on developing effective tactics for controlling Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) of pumpkins and other cucurbit crops. For more information on research on pumpkin diseases in Illinois, see the PUBLICATIONS.

Several diseases are serious threats to pumpkin production in Illinois. Among important diseases are: Alternaria blight (Alternaria cucumerina), Anthracnose (Colletotrichum orbiculare), Downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis), Fusarium crown and fruit rot (Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae), Gummy stem blight and black rot (Didymella bryoniae), Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici), Plectosporium blight (Plectosporium tabacinum), Powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii), and viral diseases (e.g., cucumber mosaic, Papaya ringspot, Squash mosaic, Watermelon mosaic, and Zucchini yellow mosaic). Among these diseases, Phytophthora blight (P. capsici) is the most important disease of pumpkin in Illinois.