Seed treatment for the control of Sphaerotheca fuliginea in muskmelon seedlings

The effects of powdery mildew (caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea )on muskmelon seedlings and the efficacy of seed treatment with systemic fungicides were examined under controlled environmental conditions. The fresh weight of seedlings infected with powdery mildew was substantially less than that of uninoculated seedlings 5 weeks after inoculation, and the inoculated seedlings shrivelled 1 week later. The fungicides fenarimol and triadimenol applied to the seeds did not affect germination and suppressed powdery mildew effectively when applied at a rate equivalent to 8 g fungicide product per kg seed. Under conditions moderately conducive to the pathogen, fenarimol markedly reduced disease severity and its effect when applied as a seed treatment was as effective as foliar treatment. When conditions were highly conducive to the pathogen, seed treatment with fenarimol was not effective. Development of powdery mildew and efficacy of the seed treatments were related to soil type: disease developed earlier and more intensely on seedlings grown in sandy soil than those in organic medium, and seed treatment had a more pronounced effect on seedlings grown in sandy soil. The results indicate that fungicidal treatment of muskmelon seeds may offer an adequate means of reducing powdery mildew infections on seedlings.