The taxonomic position of the causal agent of acremonium collapse of muskmelon

Abstract

An Acremonium sp. has been involved in serious losses of muskmelon in Spain for several years. The common name suggested for the disease is “Acremonium collapse”, due to the rapid death of affected plants. More recently, the fungus has been isolated from cucurbits in the United States, from California and Texas production areas. The species is described as Acremonium cucurbitacearum Alfaro-García, W. Gams & J. García-Jiménez, sp. nov.; it is classified in section Acremonium and differentiated from similar species on morphological grounds.

Key Words:

• Acremonium cucurbitacearum
• root rot
• corky root
• melon collapse
• cucurbits