What Is It? | Facts in Depth | For the Professional Diagnostician
Cucurbit Diseases | Bacterial Wilt
Bacterial Wilt
Symptoms
- Individual leaves suddenly wilt and eventually shrivel
- Early in the disease, leaves may “droop” during the heat of day but revert to normal in the evening or under cooler conditions
- Leaves are darker green around the infected area
- Xylem vessels inside the stem collapse and are discolored
- Entire plant turns to a dull green color, collapses, and eventually dies
(Left: Pumpkin; Middle: Zucchini; Right: Melon)
Favorable Environmental Conditions
- Temperature and humidity do not influence the progress of the disease but may effect the expression of symptoms – early wilting is more prominent when plants are under heat or moisture stress
- Conditions that would aid in the over-wintering, feeding, and reproduction of the vector – cold winters with low or no snow cover are unfavorable for beetle survival
Often Confused With
- Squash vine borer damage
- Fusarium root rot
Scouting Notes
- Younger plants are very susceptible and exhibit wilting symptoms in individual leaves.
- Scout for cucumber beetle infestation and cucumber beetle feeding damage on healthy plants.