Determining the Host-range and Developing Seed-treatment for Managing Bacterial Spot on Pumpkin

Determining the Host-range and Developing Seed-treatment for Managing Bacterial Spot on Pumpkin

Summary

Pumpkin is a high-value crop grown throughout the United States (US). Approximately 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced in the US every year and Illinois with about 25,000 acres ranks first in pumpkin production in the US. More than 90% of processing pumpkin are grown and processed in Illinois. Bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas cucurbitae has become one of the most economically important diseases on pumpkins and a serious threat to the industry. Leaf spots and fruit lesions and rot are major symptoms of this disease, causing up to more than 75% yield losses. In the past five years, the disease has become more prevalent in Illinois and other Midwestern states and many growers complain about the yield losses and of lack of effective disease management measures. Developing effective management of bacterial spot of pumpkin has not been feasible because of lack of sufficient information on the etiology of the disease, especially on the host-range and seed-borne aspect of the pathogen. This is proposal for a two-year project to generate necessary information on the etiology of bacterial spot of pumpkin and develop effective methods for management of the disease. The specific objectives of this research are to: (1) identify the host-range of X. cucurbitae; (2) determine the importance of seed-borne aspect of the pathogen; and (3) develop management of the disease, emphasizing effective seed-treatments and cropping rotations. Result of this study will be presented to growers, industry personnel, extension educators, students, and scientists at the local, statewide, regional, and national meetings. The results also will be published in the newsletters, websites and refereed-journals.

Objectives/Performance Targets

This is proposal for a two-year project to generate necessary information on the etiology of bacterial spot of pumpkin and develop effective methods for management of the disease. The specific objectives of this research are to: (1) identify the host-range of X. cucurbitae; (2) determine the importance of seed-borne aspect of the pathogen; and (3) develop management of the disease, emphasizing effective seed-treatments and cropping rotations.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Results of this research will be presented to growers, extension educators, industry personnel, students, and scientists in local, statewide, regional, and national meetings. The results will also be published in the newsletters, bulletins, websites, and refereed journals. The findings of this project is expected to have significant impact on production of pumpkins and other cucurbit crops in the US because: (1) there is no effective method for management of the disease; (2) production of pumpkins and other cucurbit crops has been steadily increasing in the US in the past 10 years; (3) growers’ income will increase; and (4) implementing the developed methods will help to ensure sustainable production of pumpkins and other cucurbit crops

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The short-term outcome of this study will be determining host-range among the crops grown in rotation with pumpkin and weeds that grow in the pumpkin fields. Another short-term outcome will be elaboration of the plant infection of plant from the seed-transmitted bacteria. The intermediate- and long-term outcome of the study will be developing effective seed treatments using heat and/or chemicals and cropping rotations for management of the disease.