First Report of Bacterial Fruit Blotch of Watermelon

Publication Date

Mon, 10 Dec 2012, 00:00

Last Updated

Dec. 9, 2012, 9:01 a.m.

Report Number

TTO-07/2

Country

Trinidad and Tobago

Pest Id

Acidovorax sp. - (ACVRSP)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Unknown

Geographical Distribution

Present only in County Mayaro

Summary

Bacterial Fruit Blotch (BFB) of watermelon is seed borne and has not been previously reported to occur in Trinidad and Tobago. Based on reports from farmers and field visits, this disease appears to occur only in the Mayaro district. During the early stages of fruit development, BFB symptoms are inconspicuous or absent, but have been reported to appear suddenly at, or just prior to harvesting. Bacteria can survive in the fruit rind tissues. Infected seeds with BFB can produce volunteer plants in subsequent watermelon crops.

Danger

Potential for crop loss ranging from 50% to 90%

Report files

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