Watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) is a cucurbit , related to cuke , cantaloupes and pumpkins . Many cucurbits are susceptible to a wide potpourri of disease and insect pests , some of which can damage or kill the watermelon fruit . Citrullus vulgaris that rot on the vine may be suffer from inadequate cultivation practice or from a specific malady . In most cases , the trouble is treatable and future fruits can be rescued .

Blossom End Rot

If the blossom end of the Citrullus vulgaris turns dark-brown and come out to be tumble inwards , the culprit may beblossom end rot . Blossom closing rot appears when rainfall is peculiarly scarce . Mulch the substructure of the vines to help keep the solution moist and nerveless , and water regularly to prevent future occurrences of blossom goal rot . take away the damaged fruit . Use like around the vine when cutting out weeds or propagate fertilizer to avoid injuring the vine . Rather than a schematic mulch , prove using black charge card around the groundwork of the flora to keep moisture and block locoweed .

Belly Rot

Belly decompose is triggered by a fungus , Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn , and is most prevailing during warm , humid or unco rainy weather . A dark-brown or black dapple appears on the fruit where it touch tight undercoat and then spreads . The smear looks waterlogged and slump and can grow gravid quickly . transfer the affected watermelons and amend drainage in the country . apply a John Milton Cage Jr. or stakes to keep the developing yield off the ground .

Gummy Stem Blight

Also known as black rot , gluey theme blight is due to the fungus Didymella bryoniae . Initial symptoms may be yellow leaves , but as the infection advance , the watermelons may originate molder arena like to belly waste — sunken , dark spots that appear waterlogged . The wound on watermelons are an ugly , greasy - greenish colour at first , then as the fleck enlarge and combine , they work a dark , brownish - black . see to it the plant regularly for signs of contagion . As soon as all the yield is harvested from the vine , deal the vine under the soil or remove and dispose of it off from the garden . antimycotic appropriate for watermelon may help prevent sticky stalk blight .

Bacterial Fruit Blotch

Rind Necrosis

If your watermelon vine have dry , lightsome brown spots with the appearance and texture of cork , they may be suffering from rind necrosis . This disease does not extend into the flesh of the fruit itself and there are no known restraint for treating rind mortification . To avoid the problem , industrial plant watermelon vine varieties labeled as resistant to rind necrosis .

Prevention

Next time of year , plant watermelon in a whole different area of the garden and do not imbed any other cucurbit where the watermelons grew this season . Buy only seeds that are treated to be indisputable they do not harbor disease . After the vines finish up producing fruit , pull them up and destroy them or bury the vines deeply in the ground to prevent the spread of infections . regale the vines and soil for nematode infestations . nematode worm may be disease carrier . Check watermelon vine vine throughout the develop cycle for sign of developing disease . enamor the trouble ahead of time so you’re able to minimize the damage . Re - appraise ethnical practice to be sure you are not over- or underwatering the industrial plant or using too much plant food .

References

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