Alternaria cucumerina (blight), Alternaria alternata f. sp. cucurbitae (spot)

Fungal Disease

Alternaria cucumerina (blight), Alternaria alternata f. sp. cucurbitae (spot)

Fungal Disease

Alternaria cucumerina (blight), Alternaria alternata f. sp. cucurbitae (spot)

Fungal Disease

Alternaria cucumerina (blight), Alternaria alternata f. sp. cucurbitae (spot)

Fungal Disease

Alternaria cucumerina (blight), Alternaria alternata f. sp. cucurbitae (spot)

Fungal Disease

Alternaria leaf spot symptom starts as small circular leaf spots on older leaves on cantaloupe, cucumber and watermelon. The disease is not commonly seen on other cucurbits. The leaf spots can be few to numerous that are spread throughout the leaves. The spots start as small yellow chlorotic lesions with a white or brown center. The spots can enlarge and the center of the spots may show a radial crack or break out after some time. The margin of the lesion tends to have a brown discoloration which creates a distinguishable outline. Leaf spot can lead to severe blighting under extreme infection. The spots may sometimes have a target-like appearance. The disease can cause premature defoliation, and yield loss. Alternaria spp. can also cause fruit rot on Muskmelon. Characteristic symptom is water soaked sections of the fruit and black growth on the rind of the fruit. Alternaria spp. can cause stem cankers in all cucurbits. Splitting of the stem with water-soaking or discolored section on the stem is a symptom. The plants will be stunted, but may remain alive.