An integrated prevention strategy to address problems associated with continuous cropping of watermelon caused by Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract

The continuous cropping of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) results in various problems, which can lead to a decrease in watermelon fruit yield and quality. Comprehensive prevention and control technologies are effective measures to alleviate such problems. In this study, we conducted a pot experiment to explore the individual and combined effects of endophytic fungi (Ceratobasidum stevensii, B6 and Fusarium sp., E5), microfertilizers (Fe2+, Mn2+, B3+, Cu2+ at concentrations of 1, 10, 0.1, and 0.01\xa0mg\xa0kg−1, respectively), and a fungicide (“Duofu”) on watermelon plants. The results of the pot experiment showed that the combined effect of chemical agents and biological control was better than that of individual treatments. The combination of endophytic fungi, microfertilizers and fungicides can significantly reduce the disease index and incidence of disease in watermelon, which decreased by 29.81% and 41.80%, respectively, and can increase the growth of watermelon, enhance the related defense enzyme activities and change the culturable soil microbiome. This approach may be a new and effective way to solve the problem of continuous cropping with watermelon.