NC State Extension Publications

Pathogen

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Gummy stem blight, also known as black rot when affecting fruits, is caused by the fungal pathogen Didymella bryoniae (anamorph = Phoma cucurbitacearum).

Host Crops and Plants

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Gummy stem blight affects all cucurbit crops such as cucumber, watermelon, melon, cantaloupe, squash, and pumpkin.

Host Parts Affected

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Stems, vines, leaves, and fruits are affected by gummy stem blight, which can result in yield reduction, damaged fruit (black rot), and plant death.

Identification

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Gummy stem blight causes ovate stem and vine cankers, usually starting near the nodes, with a characteristic brown gummy exudate (Figure 1). Within advanced lesions on dead tissue, small black fungal fruiting bodies, known as pycnidia, can be seen with a 10x hand lens (Figure 2). Pycnidia contain pathogen conidia (Figure 3). Leaves can exhibit dark brown circular spots starting at margins and rapidly spreading to entire leaf. These foliar lesions can vary in color from light brown to nearly black (Figure 4). Black rot infected fruits show small water-soaked spots that advance into large brown spots, sometimes also exhibiting the brown gummy secretion as found in stems (Figure 5).

GBS exudate

Figure 1. Split stem with brown gummy exudate.

Dr. Lina Quesada, NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab

GBS pycnidia

Figure 2. Stem with fungal fruiting bodies known as pycnidia.

Shawn Butler, NCSU PDIC

GBS conidia

Figure 3. Pycnidia containing pathogen conidia.

Shawn Butler, NCSU PDIC

GBS leaf spots

Figure 4. Necrotic, brown spots on leaf margins.

Dr. Lina Quesada, Dr. Lina Quesada, NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab

GBS black rot

Figure 5. Squash fruit with black rot.

Gerald Holmes, Valent USA Corporation, Bugwood.org

Similar Diseases

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Gummy stem blight and black rot can look like other plant diseases that affect cucurbits; however, this pathogen can be distinguished by stem and vine lesions near nodes, black fruiting bodies on dead tissue along with the characteristic brown gummy exudate from wounds near lesions. The following are images to help distinguish gummy stem blight from those diseases that can have similar symptoms during some life stages:

  • Anthracnose, Colletotrichum orbiculare, note the yellow halo around infected spots (Figure 5).

  • Blossom end rot, abiotic, note water-soaked spots and only located opposite to fruit stem (Figure 6).

Photo of Anthracnose on foliage

Figure 5. Anthracnose on cucumber.

Dr. Lina Quesada, NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab

Blossom end rot of watermelon

Figure 6. Blossom end rot of watermelon.

Photo, Gerald Holmes, Valent USA Corporation, Bugwood.org

Favorable Environmental Conditions for the Disease

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  • High humidity and moisture (4–10 hours of persistent moisture) with frequent rains, overhead irrigation, and/or poor drainage
  • Warm temperatures between 61 and 75°F
  • This disease can occur early in seedlings and greenhouse transplants, as well as anytime throughout the season. Maximum damage in North Carolina is usually seen in late June and July.

Disease Transmission

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Gummy stem blight can live on seeds transported from state to state. The spores can also be spread state to state by wind. Locally, gummy stem blight can be spread by asexual reproductive structures, conidia, in the gum during rains or watering. This pathogen can also survive for several years on un-decomposed cucurbit plant material and on volunteers of related species. It may also attack other host plants such as green beans, okra, tomato, and tobacco, and may overwinter on the refuse from these crops. The spores of the fungi germinate and infect young seedlings through the hypocotyl or stem. Cotyledons and young leaves of cantaloupe and watermelon are more susceptible than those of cucumber and pumpkin.

General Disease Management

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  • Purchase seeds or seedlings free of pathogens from a reputable company, no resistant cucurbit varieties exist. Consider seed treatments.
  • Inspect seedlings regularly for symptoms and dispose of all seedlings near infected plants.
  • Deep plow infected areas post-harvest to ensure complete decomposition of all plant material.
  • Rotate crops, carefully removing all volunteers of relates species. Since this disease can survive in soil and on un-decomposed plant material for 2-4 years, rotate all cucurbits out of infected areas for at least that long. Crop rotations with non-host plants such as small grain, corn, of two or more years are effective in reducing the incidence of these diseases, if disease-free seed are used.

Disease Control for Conventional Growers

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Fungicides may be required to control gummy stem blight, especially if environmental conditions are favorable for disease. When applying fungicides, always remember to alternate products to avoid generating fungicide-resistant strains. For the latest fungicide recommendations for gummy stem blight see the Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook. Fungicide labels are legal documents, always read and follow fungicide labels.


Example products for gummy stem blight control:

Active ingredient Example product Pre-harvest Interval (day) Fungicide group
Potassium phosphite + TebuconazoleG Viathon 5.1SC 7 3
Difenoconazole + CyprodinilG Inspire Super 2.09SC 7 3 + 9
Fluopyram + TebuconazoleG Luna Experience 400SC 7 7 + 3
Fluopyram + TrifloxystrobinG Luna Sensation 500SC 0 7 + 11
PenthiopyradG Fontelis 1.67SC 16 fl oz 1 7
Cyprodinil + FludioxonilG Switch 62.5WG 1 9 + 12
Potassium phosphite + ChlorothalonilG Catamaran 5.3SC 1 M
Fluxapyroxad + Pyraclostrobin Merivon 0 7 + 11
Pyraclostrobin + Boscalid Pristine 0 7 + 11
Chlorothalonil Bravo Weather Stick 6SC 0 M
G Can be used in greenhouses, see label for restrictions
R Fungicide resistance reported
B Use only before disease

For example, in watermelon you can use: Bravo alternated with Viathon, alternated with Luna Sensation, alternated with Switch every 7 days.

Useful Resources

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Author

WNR Distinguished Professor, Plant Pathology (Cucurbits and Sweetpotato)
Entomology & Plant Pathology

Find more information at the following NC State Extension websites:

Publication date: Dec. 16, 2018
Revised: Jan. 9, 2023

There is an alternate Spanish language version of this document here: Pudrición gomosa del tallo en cucurbitáceas

Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by NC State University or N.C. A&T State University nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension county center.

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