By Josie Borlongan, Garden Guides Contributor
About Bacterial Wilts
Bacterial wilts are carried by an insect pest, the cucumber beetle,
which injects the wilt disease as it feeds. The bacterium that
causes bacterial wilts is called Erwinia tracheiphila. Bacterial
wilts can cause drying of leaves that makes the plant look like it
needs water, but suspect bacterial infection if the soil is moist
and the leaves are still wilted.
Prevention and Control
To prevent bacterial wilts from further spreading in the garden, it
is necessary to control the population of the cucumber beetles by
using insecticides. Bacterial wilts can be prevented by planting
less susceptible cucurbit cultivars.
Affected Plants
Cucumber
Gourds
Muskmelon
Pumpkins
Squash
Damage
Bacterial wilts happen when there is mechanical blockage of the
water transport system. Wilting of leaves is the characteristic
symptom, appearing after five days of infection. The infection then
spreads down the runner, infecting the entire plant, which then
causes the plant to die. The bacterium E. tracheiphila causes the
sap to become sticky in consistency with a milky color.
Predator Insects
Predatory insects such as Tachinid flies are known to attack
cucumber beetles that carry the bacteria that cause bacterial
wilts.
Natural Insecticides
Copper, which is a natural mineral, can be applied as dust or
foliar spray to prevent the spread of the bacteria causing
bacterial wilt.
Other Methods of Control
* Apply pyrethrin-containing insecticides directly to host plants
and keep the cultivated areas free of litter and debris of infested
plants and help in controlling the cucumber beetle
population.
* Try companion planting, such as a combination of tansy and
radishes. The pungent aroma of tansy confuses and repels cucumber
beetles, while radishes lure them away from vine crops.
