Screening for resistance to Didymella bryoniae in rootstocks of melon

Glasshouse evaluations of rootstocks of melon for resistance to Didymella bryoniae were conducted on different cucurbits previously selected as resistant or partially resistant to race 1,2 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Cucumis anguria, C. ficifolius, C. figarei, C. metuliferus, C. zeyheri and Benincasa hispida showed a very high degree of resistance to D. bryoniae both on leaves and stems. Among the commercial rootstocks, Cucurbita hybrids ELSI, ES 99-13, RS 841, displayed a similar level of resistance. Stem inoculation of three cucurbit species grafted with susceptible melon cv. Proteo determined the occurrence of limited symptoms, but the lesions remained confined in the rootstock not affecting the grafted plant. Cultivation of susceptible melon cultivars grafted on resistant rootstocks may represent an efficient method for controlling Didymella crown rot and Fusarium wilt.