The objective of these studies was to assess the degree to which bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster), will feed on cucurbits. In 2003, we documented an infestation of C. trifurcata in a commercial pumpkin field near Rosemount, MN, USA. To evaluate C. trifurcata feeding on cucurbits, we conducted laboratory no-choice and choice test feeding studies. In the laboratory, C. trifurcata f...

In this study, we investigated few dietary cucurbits for anticancer activity by monitoring cytotoxic (MTT and LDH assays), apoptotic (caspase-3 and annexin-V assays), and also their anti-inflammatory effects by IL-8 cytokine assay. Aqua-alcoholic (50:50) whole extracts of cucurbits [Lagenaria siceraria (Ls), Luffa cylindrica (Lc) and Cucurbita pepo (Cp)] were evaluated in colon cancer cells (HT...

Pathological interrelations of two soil-borne diseases in cucurbits (watermelon, oriental melon, shintosa and cucumber) caused by Fusarium isolates (FI) and the root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita were characterized by the fusarium disease severity index (DI), RKN gall index (GI) and eggmass index (EI) in inoculation tests using FI and RKN. Virulence of FI as determined by DI at 4 w...

Plectosphaerella cucumerina, most frequently encountered in its Plectosporium state, is well known as a pathogen of several plant species causing fruit, root and collar rot, and collapse. It is considered to pose a serious threat to melon (Cucumis melo) production in Italy. In the present study, an intensive sampling of diseased cucurbits as well as tomato and bell pepper was done and the funga...

Plants of dietary nature contain rich sources of nutrients and secondary metabolites of therapeutic importance. Cucurbits belong to Cucurbitaceae family and are rich sources of nutritional and medicinal compounds [1-4]. Cucurbitaceae consists of nearly 100 genera and over 750 species [5-8]. Dietary intervention of these groups of plants can ameliorate various types of diseases through their pre...

The inheritance of sex expression in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and other cucurbits is well documented; however, the genetics of female sex (gynoecism) expression in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) has not been described. Inheritance of gynoecism in bitter gourd was studied in a 100% gynoecious line (Gy263B). The F(2) and testcross segregation data revealed that gynoecism in Gy263B is under ...

Cucurbits are among the most cultivated crops, and economically important species melon (Cucumis melo L.), cucumber sativus watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.), squash (Cucurbita pepo pumpkin spp.). These crops have become income sources providing export local consumption commodities in many Mediterranean countries. Increased area of cucurbits has led to emergence several viral diseases, whic...

Watermelons Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Mansf. were reported to be growing in Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, Mediterranean Coasts, Europe and America in the late 1500s. Growth spread to Japan from South China and Southeast Asia. Fruits were basic food for people and animals in these countries, however the fruits bore little resemblance to current cultivars in size, shape, color and internal ...

Nucleotide binding site leucine-rich repeats (NBS-LRR) accounting for the main disease resistance proteins play an important role in plant defense against pathogen attack. The current study aimed to identify new NBS-LRR gene members in native types of cucurbit species in Iran. Accordingly, DNAs of melon, cucumber and cantaloupe native types to Iran were identified using three primer pairs. PCR ...