TECHNICAL DOCUMENT ON POWDERY MILDEW OF CUCURBITS
ABDELHAK RHOUMA *
Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Mariem Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia.
HANANE BEDJAOUI
Laboratory of Promotion of Innovation of Agriculture in Arid Regions, Department of Agronomic Sciences, University of Biskra, Algeria.
MOHAMMAD IMAD KHRIEBA
National Center for Biotechnology (NCBT), Researcher Doctor at NCBT. Damascus, Syria.
MOHAMED SEGHIR MEHAOUA
Department of Agronomic Sciences, Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Valorization of Bio-resources, University of Biskra, Algeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cucurbits are one of the most valuable vegetable crops worldwide, and a large number of annual species are under cultivation. Plant pathogens challenge our efforts to maximize crop production. More than 200 known pathogens are infecting various cucurbits. Fungi, bacteria and other pathogens attack different parts of cucurbitaceous plants, causing diseases that reduce the plant's growth rate. Fungal diseases are well known as major limiting factors for plant growth and crop yield, with special regard powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii and Erysiphe cichoracearum). These two species, having a high evolutionary potential, could be considered as main “risky” pathogens. Disease development reaches annually epidemic proportions resulting reduction both in yield and quality of crops. In this technical document, we are dealing with cucurbits powdery mildew: symptoms and signs, epidemiology, disease cycle, ecology and disease management.
Keywords: Cucurbits, disease cycle, disease management, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Podosphaera xanthii, powdery mildew