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Causal Agent:
Lack of major or minor elements.
Distribution:
Worldwide
Symptoms:
Low temperatures are a problem with all cucurbits and can cause stunting
and short misshapen fruit. Watermelon and cantaloupe are particularly
sensitive to cool temperatures. High temperatures may cause cucurbits to
wilt temporarily and persistently high temperatures may cause the
margins of the lower leaves to die. Drought can cause wilting or
stunting of plants, and fruit which are pinched at the blossom end. Too
much water may cause wilting and eventually injure the roots resulting
in reduced growth rate and foliage yellowing. Injured roots are less
able to take up nutrients and symptoms of mineral deficiencies may
develop.
Conditions
for Disease Development:
Excessive moisture often occurs in heavy soils with poor drainage, while
drought is common on light sandy soils. In addition, weather conditions
often subject plants to unfavorable temperature and moisture extremes.
Control:
Greenhouse temperatures should be maintained at the appropriate range for
each cucurbit. The irrigation schedule and water use by the crop should be
carefully monitored in the field and greenhouse.
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