Tag: Cucurbits

Pathogen Profile: Erwinia tracheiphila

Erwinia tracheiphila Introduction Erwinia tracheiphila is a bacterial pathogen that causes bacterial wilt, a devastating disease affecting cucurbits such as cucumbers, muskmelons, and, to a lesser extent, squash and pumpkins. This disease does not affect watermelons. The economic impact of Erwinia tracheiphila is significant, particularly in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, where it threatens […]
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Figure 3. Powdery mildew on watermelon leaves, caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Erysiphe cichoracearum. 

Pathogen Profile: Podosphaera xanthii

What is Podosphaera xanthii? Podosphaera xanthii is a pathogenic fungus which causes “powdery mildew” on plants, especially cucurbits [1]. The naming of this fungus is not standardized, and you may also know it as Podosphaera fusca, Sphaerotheca fuliginea or Sphaerotheca fusca [1]. In addition to P. xanthii, powdery mildew is caused by many other fungal […]
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