Fusarium Rot of Pumpkin

Several species of the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium can cause spots and rot of pumpkin fruit. Symptoms range from small, pitted, corky spots to large, sunken areas covered with a white or gray mold (Figure 1). Fusarium species are common soil inhabitants, but the conditions that induce fruit rot symptoms are unknown. Fungicide applications are not effective in controlling this disease. Recent work at the Ohio State University by Dr. Max Reidel and his student Andy Wyenandt indicates that planting pumpkins into a cover crop may help to reduce the incidence of Fusarium rot, by keeping the fruit from coming in contact with the soil. For more information on this research, see the Ohioline newsletter article at the following website:
http://fusion.ag.ohio-state.edu/news/story.asp?storyid=986

--Karen Rane, Plant Disease Diagnostician, Botany & Plant Pathology, Purdue University