"In September 2020, a severe crown and foot rot disease was observed in self-rooted zucchini plants (Cucurbita pepo, cv. Local-green), in an open-field crop in Fodele, Crete, Greece," report scientists at the Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture.
Diseased plants exhibited wilting, yellowing, collapse, crown, foot and root rot, and vascular tissue discoloration. Light to dark water-soaked lesions were evident on the crown, occasionally covered by a white-pinkish mycelium. Disease incidence in the field was estimated at 48.9%. A fungus was isolated from symptomatic plants.
Symptoms of crown and foot rot of zucchini in field caused by Fusarium solani. A-B:wilting, yellowing and collapse, C: water-soaked lesion on the crown, covered by a white mycelium.
"Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed that fungus was Fusarium solani." The scientists continued, "To our knowledge, this is the first report of crown and foot rot caused by F. solani in zucchini plants in Greece, and it can result in severe crop losses."
Source: Krasagakis N., Goumas D.E., Markakis E.A., 'First report of crown and foot rot of zucchini caused by Fusarium solani in Greece', 2021, Journal of Plant Pathology.