Bacterial Spot (Xanthomonas cucurbitae) of cucurbits: A review

Abstract

The Cucurbitaceae also known as cucurbits, are a plant family, sometimes called the ground family, consists of around a hundred genera most of which are edible. The Cucurbitaceae family ranks among the highest of plant families for number and percentage of species used as human food. Cucumber, pumpkin, different types of gourds, melons, squash and zucchini are among the important edible plants of the family. The cultivation of these cucurbits is hampered by the attack of many pathogens and insects, out of which Xanthomonas cucurbitae (Bryan) Dowson (Syn.: Xanthomonas campestris pv. cucurbitae) causing bacterial spot is emerging as an important pathogen leading to huge crop losses especially to pumpkin, winter squash and bottle gourd.