SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF MUSKMELON - A MAJOR NEW DISEASE CONSTRAINT IN OMAN

The area of muskmelon production in Oman has increased dramatically since 2000. The crop is profitable with high market prices balancing high production costs. However, this profitability depends on high yields and so the recent, devastating outbreak of sudden vine collapse has caused many farmers to cease growing the crop. The disease is characterized by the sudden collapse of the whole crop at the time between first fruit set and first fruit maturation. Above ground wilting is accompanied by root decay. A similar disease epidemic in the mid 1990s similarly reduced production levels. That epidemic was attributed to Pythium deliense. The current epidemic coincided with a recovery in crop production levels, but the cause has yet to be unequivocally confirmed. This poster describes the disease symptoms, the aetiology of the disease and describes crop loss statistics. Results from experimental treatments showing various options for disease management, including fungicide treatments, solarization and biofumigation also are described. Farmer participatory trials are being conducted to demonstrate to the farming community the suitability of the various management techniques.