Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), caused by Acidovorax citrulli, is a seed-borne disease. It poses a significant
threat to watermelon production worldwide. Fruit blotch can lead to 100% yield loss under warm, wet
conditions. Watermelon cultivars range from susceptible to slightly resistant, and sources of high
resistance may be available. Thus, the disease can be controlled by breeding resistant cultivars, or seed
sanitation programs. Excluding the pathogen from seeds, fruit, and transplants is difficult because the
pathogen can live under the seed coat and can present inconspicuous symptoms. Resistant cultivars would
provide more effective control. The objective of this project is to screen the watermelon germplasm
collection for resistance to bacterial fruit blotch, and to identify accessions that can be used in breeding
for resistance. Associated benefits include disease resistant germplasm for industry use in the
development of cultivars, and improved understanding of the interaction between host and pathogen.
Learn more here!