A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: Tue 6 Apr 2021 08:45 IST
Source: Orissa Post [edited]
<https://www.orissapost.com/watermelon-farmers-in-distress-as-mystery-disease-damages-crops/>
Watermelon farmers in the flood-prone areas in Kendrapara district are worried as an unidentified disease has affected their crops. The 'mystery' disease has caused the watermelons to break open and rot much before harvesting.
The fruits are being affected when they grow to the size of 1 kg [2.2 lb]. The farmers have applied pesticides on the advice of agriculture and horticulture experts, but that is not helping in any way. They are trying to tide over this crisis by harvesting the melons when they are still small, but traders are refusing [them]. The watermelons are [normally] harvested when they grow up to the size of 3-5 kg [6.6-11 lb].
Another farmer said watermelon plants have withered, and small watermelons are getting decomposed. Residents have demanded that Agriculture department should rush a high-level team to the area to review the crop damage and make provision of financial assistance to the affected farmers.
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Communicated by: ProMED <promed@promedmail.org>
[A large number of pathogens can affect cucurbit crops, which include watermelon (_Citrullus lanatus_); melons and cucumbers (_Cucumis_ spp.); and squashes, gourds, and pumpkins (_Cucurbita_ spp.). The symptoms described above may point to some form of fungal or bacterial rot, but reliable diagnosis of any pathogens affecting the melons will be essential for designing suitable management strategies for the affected farmers. The problems above may also be due to a combination of pathogens and/or other factors.
Maps
India (with states):
<https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/india-political-map.htm>
Odisha districts:
<https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/orissa/orissa.htm>
Pictures
Symptoms of some watermelon diseases via:
<http://www.ipmimages.org/browse/Areathumb.cfm?area=90>
Links
List of major diseases and pathogens of cucurbits, including
watermelon:
<https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/resources/commonnames/Pages/Cucurbits.aspx>
Cucurbit taxonomy and list of genera:
<https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=22337#null>
and
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0304423886900075>
- Mod.DHA]
[See Also:
2020
----
Undiagnosed stem rot, gourd - Bangladesh: (RS)
http://promedmail.org/post/20201026.7890240
2019
----
Fusarium wilts, cucurbits - Pakistan: (SD)
http://promedmail.org/post/20190612.6515954
Undiagnosed virus, pumpkin - Bangladesh: (RP)
http://promedmail.org/post/20190529.6492518
2017
----
Undiagnosed disease, multiple crops - Ecuador: (MN)
http://promedmail.org/post/20170606.5079038
Undiagnosed virus, watermelon - India: (TN)
http://promedmail.org/post/20170420.4981972
2016
----
Undiagnosed disease, watermelon - Bangladesh: (BA)
http://promedmail.org/post/20160324.4115462
2015
---
Gummy stem blight, watermelon - USA: (FL)
http://promedmail.org/post/20150506.3344025
2012
---
Gummy stem blight, watermelon - Trinidad & Tobago: (MR)
http://promedmail.org/post/20121008.1329578
2011
---
Fusarium wilt, watermelon - Australia: (NT), spread
http://promedmail.org/post/20110930.2948
Cucumber mosaic virus & mildew, muskmelon - India: (PB)
http://promedmail.org/post/20110505.1385
2010
----
Yellow vine decline & fusarium wilt, watermelon - USA
http://promedmail.org/post/20100615.2003
Murda, chili & mildew, melon - India
http://promedmail.org/post/20100413.1199
2008
----
Downy mildew, cucurbits - India: (PU)
http://promedmail.org/post/20080411.1322
Sudden wilt, muskmelon - Oman
http://promedmail.org/post/20080211.0543
and additional items on cucurbit diseases in the archives]
Topics
Species
