Influence of edaphic factors and cultural practices on the development of fusarium wilt of muskmelon

The effect of temperature, soil moisture and soil texture on the epidemiology of the Fusarium wilt of muskmelon was studied. Disease development over a range of temperature (20, 25, 30 and 35±2°C), moisture level (10, 20 & 40% of Water Holding Capacity i.e WHC) and soil texture (sand, soil with < 10,10–20, 20–30 & 30–40% clay content) was examined. Wilt development was greater at 25°C compared to other temperatures. Mortality of muskmelon plants due to wilt was maximum at 20 per cent of WHC which decreased with further increase in moisture level. Sandy soils were more conducive for wilt development as compared to clayey soils. Population density of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis was highest at 25±2°C. Maximum proliferation (7.5 x 10⁴ cfu/g of soil) was recorded at 20 per cent of WHC. Population density of the pathogen increased with the decrease in clay content of the soil, maximum (9.5 x 10⁴ cfu/g of soil) being in the soil having sand only. Alteration in the date of sowing exerted significant influence on muskmelon wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis. During the cropping seasons 2004 and 2005, per cent disease incidence differed significantly with plant spacing, being high in closer plant spacing (30 cm) and low in wider (60 cm) plant spacing. Comparatively low disease incidence (69.7%) was recorded in the early (end January) sown crop than in late (end February) sown crop (89.6%).