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ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
June 29, 2004
From: NBC2 news 9 Jun 2004 accessed 11 Jun 2004 [edited]
<http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=937&z=3&p=>
South west Florida watermelon farmers battling mysterious
disease
Florida is the second
largest producer of watermelons in the United States but, this
year, south west Florida farmers are battling what scientists
are calling a mysterious disease, which could cost growers up to
USD 50 million this season.
Dr Patty Roberts says the unknown disease is wiping out
watermelon crops across the state. Roberts, a researcher from
the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of
Florida, has no idea how it arrived. She and her partners were
trying to conduct an unrelated experiment when their own crop
was infected. Many Immokalee growers may be forced out of
business.
According to Roberts, some affected fields are losing 100 per
cent of their production. With few clues to go on, scientists
say it's very likely this situation will get worse.
Consumers can identify an infected melon by examining the rind.
Healthy watermelons have a nice, white rind on the inside, but
infected ones are yellow.
[byline: Jessica Ritter]
[There are a number of vine-decline diseases of cucurbits.
According to Roberts, the disease in Florida is of unknown
etiology, and it has been named mature vine decline and fruit
rind necrosis. Further research is required to determine the
etiology of the disease. Useful references:
<http://www.in.gov/oca/grants/valueadd/ExecSummaryMWVD.pdf>
<http://cals.arizona.edu/PLP/plpext/diseases/vegetables/watermelon/watermelonvd.htm>
- Mod.DH]
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