Survival of Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae and Fungicide Application, Soil Solarization, and Biosolarization for Control of Crown and Foot Rot of Zucchini Squash

Abstract

Fusarium crown and foot rot of zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae is one of the major diseases affecting zucchini squash production in Almería, Spain. Experiments were conducted to determine the pathogen’s ability to survive in infested bags of perlite and to test several control methods under greenhouse conditions. The pathogen survived in the bags for at least 20 months with enough inoculum at that time to produce disease symptoms in zucchini plants, although disease severity was significantly reduced after 14 months. A total of 14 zucchini cultivars were inoculated with F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae, and all were highly susceptible to the disease. Eight fungicides and two microbial products, Trichoderma harzianum and Rhizophagus irregularis, were tested to determine their efficacy for the control of this disease. Prochloraz, carbendazim, and thiophanate-methyl, which are not labeled for use in zucchini in Spain, were highly effective for the control of the disease, while the other products were ineffective. Two soil solarization and biosolarization experiments were conducted in a greenhouse for 45-day periods during the summer. Inocula in the soil samples decreased by more than 99%, indicating the efficacy of completely closing the greenhouse windows, solarization, and biosolarization in reducing inoculum. Fungicide applications, crop rotation for at least two years, and soil solarization or biosolarization are promising control methods for this disease.