PATHOLOGICAL STUDY ON FUNGAL ROOT ROTS OF CANTALOUPE UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITION

Abstract

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melon L.) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes several other vegetables of economic importance such as melon, cucumber, watermelon, squash and pumpkin. Cantaloupe is considered a major source of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic substances, which are important to human nutrition and health. Melon is liable to attack by several soil-borne fungal pathogens causing severe infection by root rot and other diseases that reflect serious economic losses and have been a major problem for cantaloupe production. Root rot and vine decline, known also plant collapse or sudden wilt or death of melons plants at the stage of fruit premature (rapid death of plants within 5 to 10 days as the melon approached maturity) is a destructive disease in many parts of the world. This study was planned to clarify the role of root infecting fungi of cantaloupe on the incidence of root rot. The results can be summarized as follows