How to Treat White Melon Diseases? Detailed Explanation of Control Methods

White melon is the melon we commonly see, also known as oriental melon, and is an annual trailing herbaceous plant of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is widely cultivated throughout China, and because of its long cultivation history, it has a great many varieties. So, how do you treat white melon diseases?

1. How to Treat White Melon Diseases

1. Downy mildew

Chemical control: commonly used chemicals and their concentrations are 25% metalaxyl WP or 25% metalaxyl WP at 800-1000 times dilution, 40% fosetyl-aluminum WP at 400 times dilution, 78% fosetyl-aluminum mancozeb WP at 500 times dilution, 68% metalaxyl mancozeb WP at 400 times dilution, or 50% thiram WP at 500 times dilution, or Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:200. Note that some varieties are prone to chemical injury at the seedling stage. Spray 60-70 kg per 667 sq m, once every 7-10 days. If downy mildew occurs together with powdery mildew, you may choose 25% metalaxyl at 800 times dilution plus 15% triadimefon at 1500 times dilution for spray control; if downy mildew occurs together with bacterial leaf spot, you may spray 50% copper sulfate copper succinate WP at 500 times dilution plus 25% metalaxyl WP at 800 times dilution, etc. Mixed chemical preparations should be used immediately after mixing.

2. Powdery mildew

Chemical control: choose 15% triadimefon WP at 1000-1500 times dilution or 20% triadimefon EC at 1500-2000 times dilution, spraying once every 15-20 days, with notable control effect. Or use 50% sulfur suspension at 200-300 times dilution, 30% dithianon at 100 times dilution, or 50% thiophanate-methyl WP at 1000 times dilution, 50% thiophanate-methyl WP at 500-800 times dilution, or phosphamidon at 1000 times dilution, once every 7-10 days, spraying about 60 kg of chemical per 667 sq m.

3. Anthracnose

Chemical control: start spraying at the early stage of the disease. Commonly used chemicals include: 65% zineb WP at 400-600 times dilution, 70% mancozeb WP at 500 times dilution, 50% carbendazim WP at 500-700 times dilution, 50% thiophanate-methyl WP at 700 times dilution, 80% anthracnose thiram WP at 800 times dilution, and 20% antibiotic agricultural antibiotic 120 at 200 times dilution. Spray once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times; adding micro-fertilizer or spraying foliar fertilizer at the time of spraying gives better results. Melons to be stored or transported long distances must be strictly selected, removing diseased and damaged fruits. If conditions permit, use low-temperature storage and transport or apply a fresh-keeping agent, with the temperature best controlled at around 4°C. Too high or too low a temperature easily causes fruit rot.

4. Fusarium wilt

Chemical control: you may apply medicated soil in the planting holes, with a chemical-to-soil ratio of 1:100, spread below and covering above in the hole, then cover with soil. The chemicals may be 25% benomyl, 50% carbendazim, 50% thiophanate-methyl, or 40% seed-dressing dual powder, using 0.5-1 g per 667 sq m. (2) Root drenching at the early stage of the disease. When scattered diseased plants are found in the field, you may choose benomyl, thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim, or dexon at 500-1000 times dilution to pour around the plant roots, using 200-250 ml per plant, at an interval of 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive drenchings.