The CucCAP project is developing genomic resources to increase disease resistance in cucurbit crops for the cucurbit community. The CucCAP website provides news about CucCAP grant activity, cucurbit diseases, and cucurbit crop production to a broad audience including crop producers, plant pathologists, plant breeders, plant genome scientists, and vegetable extension specialists.
CucCAP Featured Article
Downy mildew (DM) is an important disease of cucumber and other cucurbits. Many quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been identified from different resistant resources but very few have been fine mapped or cloned. CucCAP researchers in USDA-ARS and the University of Wisconsin Madison reported identification and functional characterization of the candidate gene for the major-effect QTL, dm5.3, for DM resistance from the plant introduction line PI 197088. This gene, which can enhance plant disease signaling, is currently being used to breed for disease resistance in cucumber. Continue Reading
Cucurbit Disease Management and Crop Production News
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline
In October, the newsletter reported on crop damage caused by Hurricane Ian, whitefly observations on watermelons, detection of Cucurbit leaf crumple virus in watermelon, and reports of gummy stem blight on watermelon. Continue Reading
Whitefly Populations on Rise in Alabama | AgNet Media
Alabama cucurbit growers are already seeing increased whitefly populations in their fall crops. Whiteflies transmit cucurbit leaf crumple virus and can cause severe symptoms on infected plants including yellowing of leaves, leaf crumpling, plant stunting and overall plant decline. Squash, zucchini, and cucumber are susceptible to viruses transmitted by whiteflies. Continue Reading
Cucurbit downy mildew epidemic updates | ipmPIPE
The Cucurbit downy mildew forecast website provides disease alerts, a map of recent outbreaks, CDM forecasts, and resources for growers throughout the growing season. Continue Reading
