Fusarium Wilt in Watermelon Cultivars Grown in a 4-Year Monoculture

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Abstract
The year-to-year increase of Fusarium wilt in 10 watermelon cultivars grown in a 4-yr monoculture was inversely related to the resistance rankings of the cultivars. ''Crimson Sweet'', rated as moderately resistant, was the exception. The mean rate of increase of Fusarium wilt was less in ''Crimson Sweet'' than in any other cultivar. In the 4th yr, ''Crimson Sweet'' had the least wilt and the highest yield of all cultivars. Greenhouse bioassays for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum demonstrated a slower rate of increase of soil propagules with ''Crimson Sweet'' than with any other cultivar. ''Crimson Sweet'' apparently had a unique type of resistance to Fusarium wilt that was somewhat more stable in a monoculture than that of other cultivars.