Cesar Escalante | Purdue University Vegetable Crops Hotline

Vegetable Crops Hotline A newsletter for commercial vegetable growers prepared by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service

Cesar Escalante

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escalac@purdue.edu

5 articles by this author

Article List

Pathogen Spotlight: Serratia ureilytica Causing Cucurbit Yellow Vine Disease

May 2, 2025 - From Issue: 752

By: Kensy Rodriguez and Cesar Escalante

Figure 2. Typical symptoms of cucurbit yellow vine disease on a squash field. Symptomatic plant (left) and healthy plant (right) (Photo by Kensy Rodriguez).

Introduction Cucurbit yellow vine disease (CYVD) is an emergent disease in the United States caused by the bacterium Serratia ureilytica, and it commonly affects zucchini, squash, watermelon, and melons. The [Read More…]

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Cucurbits

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Cleaning and Disinfesting Your Greenhouse Before Planting

April 3, 2025 - From Issue: 750

By: Cesar Escalante

Figure 2. Inorganic mulch (plastic) is used in nursery greenhouses to prevent weed growth in the surrounding areas. (Photo by Cesar Escalante).

Many of you are getting ready to start planting your seeds in the greenhouse, especially if you are planning to transplant. Regardless of the time you start or the type [Read More…]

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Vegetable Crops – General

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Management of Wirestem of Cole Crops

October 17, 2024 - From Issue: 746

By: Cesar Escalante and Jeff Burbrink

Figure 2. Yellowing and purple symptoms on a brassica plant. These symptoms are typically caused by Rhizoctonia infection (Photo by Jeff Burbrink).

Pathogen and symptoms Wirestem is a disease of cole crops (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) caused by the soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani. This summer, cole growers from the state’s northern [Read More…]

Article Categories:

Cole Crops

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Plant Disease Management

Battling Root-knot Nematodes In Commercial Cucurbit Crops

August 23, 2024 - From Issue: 743

By: Cesar Escalante

Figure 2. Root-knot nematode galls on watermelon roots (Courtesy of Dan Egel; originally published in the Southwest Purdue Ag Program website, Vegetable Disease Photos).

Root-knot nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.) is a major problem in cucurbits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin, and squash. The reason RKN is problematic lies in their ability to persist [Read More…]

Article Categories:

Cucurbits

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Nematode Management

Bacterial Fruit Blotch On Cucurbits

July 24, 2024 - From Issue: 741

By: Cesar Escalante

Figure 1. Immature cantaloupe fruit showing circular water-soaked and sunken lesions (Photo by Cesar Escalante).

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) is a disease caused by the pathogen Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli. Most cucurbit crops are affected by this disease, although watermelon cultivars are commonly more susceptible.[Read More…]

Article Categories:

Cucurbits

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Plant Disease Management