Research on Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon
Fusarium wilt of watermelon was first documented in the American states of Georgia and South Carolina in 1894. It has the distinction of being one of the oldest described Fusarium wilt diseases and is now found throughout the world in major watermelon growing areas.Fusarium wilt of watermelon is an economically important disease that limits production.
Fusarium oxsporum f. sp. niveum (FON) is the causal agent of Fusarium wilt in watermelon. As of 2010 four races of FON have been described (race 0, 1, 2, 3), with each race being different in their aggressiveness towards resistant cultivars of watermelon. It affects plants by infecting the roots and progressing through the vascular system,disrupting water and nutrient intake, eventually resulting in wilt symptoms. FON is predominantly a soil borne fungus and is spread via contaminated soil and plant material. It produces resistant spores for long term survival and may remain present in the soil for years.
In Australia there have been reports of watermelon wilt in the major growing regions of New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and very recently an outbreak in theNorthern Territory. The disease impacts the production of watermelon in Australia significantly, through loss of yield and land. Unfortunately, most of the current in-depth research is being conducted internationally. It is not known how many races of FON are present in Australia, nor of its distribution and prevalence around the country’s watermelon production regions. Such information is vital for the development of effective disease management strategies.
A collaborative research project is being initiated between the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, the University of Sydney, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and the NT Department of Resources, Plant Industries Group, jointly funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd. and the respective agencies, to work closely with the watermelon industry in gathering crucial information in order to better understand the disease and pathogen in Australia.
An integral part of the project is conducting a national survey of the major watermelon production regions. The survey aims to determine the presence and distribution of FON and the disease. For the survey, it is essential that a large enough portion of each region is sampled for more accurate information.
The survey will involve collecting soil samples and plant material which display symptoms of wilt. In certain cases, healthy plants may also be sampled, as it is not known if FON is able to survive within symptomless plants. It is essential to the project that producers are made aware that such a study is being conducted, and participation is required for this project to be realized. The more producersinvolved in the surveywill lead to results that are more comprehensive and accurate forthe benefit of industry.
If you would like more information on the project, please contact:
Victor Puno
MPhil Candidate (The University of Sydney)
The RoyalBotanic Gardens & Domain Trust
Plant Pathology
Science and Conservation
Tel: 02 9231 8356
Mob: 0408 013 909
Email:
Stuart Smith
Senior Research Officer Sustainable Production
Plant Industries Group
Northern Territory Government
Tel: 08 8999 2222
Mob: 0428 966 528
Email:
Lucy Tran-Nguyen
Senior Molecular Scientist
Plant Industries Group
Northern Territory Government
Tel: 08 8999 2235
Fax: 08 8999 2312
Email:
If you wish to be involved in the survey of disease incidence, please fill out the electronic form attached and email to Victor Puno.