Introduction

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a refreshing and nutritious fruit that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Originating from Africa, it has become a staple summer fruit enjoyed worldwide for its sweet taste and high water content, which makes it perfect for hydration and cooling down during hot weather.This beloved fruit is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Rich in vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as antioxidants like lycopene, watermelon supports immune function, skin health, and heart health. Its high water content, approximately 92%, helps with hydration and promotes a feeling of fullness, making it an excellent choice for those looking to manage their weight.

Watermelon is versatile and can be enjoyed in various forms—freshly sliced, blended into smoothies, added to salads, or even grilled. Its seeds, often overlooked, are also nutritious and can be roasted for a healthy snack.

Gummy Stem Blight: Mycosphaerella melonis

Symptoms:

Infected stems first appear water-soaked and then become dry, coarse and tan.

Older stem lesions (dead tissue) reveal small black fruiting bodies (pycnidia) within the affected tissues.

Large lesions girdle stems and plants wilt in the heat of the day.

Stem lesions on melons exude a gummy, red-brown substance which may be mistaken for a symptom of Fusarium wilt.

Management:

Use of disease-free seed and transplants is essential to prevent serious crop losses.

Periodic applications of fungicide like D-BACT-DECOMPOSING CULTRE  can help limit secondary infections, especially on fruits.

Fall plowing and extended rotations with other crops can significantly reduce the amount of inoculum in infested fields.

Fusarium Wilt: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

Symptoms:

Both fungi contribute to damping-off of seedlings, but most significant losses occur after young plants are infected in the field.

Plants infected early in the season often produce no marketable fruits.

Plants that begin to show wilt symptoms at or near maturity produce fewer and lower quality fruits.

The first symptoms of Fusarium wilt are wilting and chlorosis (yellowing) of older leaves.

The wilt is most evident during the heat of the day.

Plants may appear to recover by morning, only to wilt again in the afternoon.

Stem cracks and brown streaks often appear near the crown of the plant and are associated with a red-brown exudate.

Fusarium wilt also causes vascular browning that is visible in stem cross-sections.

Management:

Planting resistant cultivars is the only reliable way to keep infested fields in production.

Commercially acceptable resistant cultivars exist, but extremely high pathogen populations in the soil can overcome their resistance.

Therefore, methods to reduce Fusarium populations in the soil also should be employed like Soil drenching with Trichoderma viridae

These methods include extended rotations with crops other than cucurbits and fall plowing of severely infested fields.

Summary:

Curry leaf plants, while generally hardy, can be susceptible to fungal diseases. The most common disease affecting Curry leaf is Leaf Spot. This disease causes brown or black spots to appear on leaves, which can ultimately lead to defoliation and reduced yield. Fortunately, several preventative measures can be taken to minimize the risk of Leaf Spot. These include ensuring proper drainage, avoiding overhead watering, and using fungicides as a last resort. Additionally, maintaining a healthy plant through proper fertilization and pruning can also go a long way in preventing disease.