Interaction of Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani as root rot pathogens of Cucumis melo

Abstract

ABSTRACT Root diseases represent one of the main reasons for yield loss in melon crops, especially root and stem rots caused by pathogens like the fungi Fusarium solani (Fs), Macrophomina phaseolina (Mp) and Rhizoctonia solani (Rs), frequently observed in muskmelon either alone or in combination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the interaction between the pathogens Fs, Mp and Rs on the incidence and severity of root rot and muskmelon development. Two greenhouse experiments were performed using plastic pots with substrate infested with each pathogenic agent alone or in combination. The second experiment was conducted in the same pots that were used in the first experiment. In the first experiment, the disease incidence was higher for the treatment with Fs alone. In the second experiment, the disease incidence and severity were greater for treatment Fs + Rs than for Fs alone. Macrophomina phaseolina was the most commonly isolated pathogen when applied to the plants in a paired mixed inoculum (Fs + Mp and Mp + Rs) in the first experiment. In the second experiment, Fs was more prevalent than the other studied pathogens. Soil infested with Fs had the lowest fresh weight of muskmelon. The pathogens Fs and Mp were more competitive than Rs.