Fusarium falciforme and F. oxysporum causing postharvest fruit rot of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in Malaysia: A first report

• Published in: Crop Protection
• Main Author: 2-s2.0-85139306780
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85139306780&doi=10.1016%2fj.cropro.2022.106115&partnerID=40&md5=fb6ed8c6bb211283447fb247a8522905

Watermelon is one of the fruit crops being produced in large scale (9000 ha in the year of 2021) in Malaysia. However, fungal diseases are a major factor in suppressing yield. In November 2019, field surveys in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Penang found harvested watermelon showing fruit rot disease symptoms. In the present study, we delineated the pathogens causing these symptoms using morphological observations, molecular methods, and pathogenicity tests. Morphological characterization, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis using ITS and TEF loci revealed that two isolates, S9 and S11, isolated from symptomatic fruits were Fusarium falciforme and F. oxysporum, respectively. Pathogenicity tests confirmed the both Fusarium species caused the observed symptoms, fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of these Fusarium species as the pathogens of watermelon fruit rot in Malaysia. Findings from the present study contribute to the knowledge of watermelon diseases in Malaysia, provide an essential foundation for development of effective pre-harvest and postharvest disease management strategies to curb disease spread. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd