Non-Pathogenic Causes

Agents that can cause seedling death that resemble damping-off include the seed corn maggot [wmd25.jpg] and lightning damage [wmd26.jpg].  Wind movement of young plants on plastic mulch can cause damage to the stems, leading to wilt [wmd70.jpg].  This problem disappears once vines are able to anchor to something.

     Anasa wilt [WMD6.JPG], caused by the squash bug [WMD7.JPG], can be mistaken for Fusarium wilt.  Watermelon growing next to brush are more prone to this problem.

     Herbicide injury can cause symptoms that resemble those caused by pathogenic fungi.  Glyphosate can cause yellowing [wmd30.jpg].  Trifluralin can cause scattered wilting in a field [wmd31.jpg] and affected plants will also exhibit discoloration or swelling of the crown area [wmd32.jpg].