EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANTHRACNOSE INFECTION IN CUCUMBER CROPS IN KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE: A RESEARCH SURVEY

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), a member of the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, is an economically significant vegetable cultivated globally. It is valued for its nutritional content and various health benefits. However, cucumber production faces significant challenges from fungal diseases, which can essentially impact yield and quality. Among these diseases, anthracnose, caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare, poses a severe threat, leading to dark sunken lesions on fruits, leaves, and stems, resulting in considerable yield losses. This study was therefore conducted to survey and identify the incidence of anthracnose of cucumber in Keffi L.G.A, Nasarawa State. Field surveys were conducted across three locations in Keffi L.G.A; Jigwada, Sharmaki and Yarkade and samples of infected cucumber leaves were collected and analyzed. The study revealed the presence of three major fungal diseases: downy mildew, anthracnose, and leaf spot. Downy mildew exhibited the highest disease incidence, followed by anthracnose, with leaf spot being the least prevalent. Microscopic identification of fungal isolates from the infected leaves identified ten different fungi, with Aspergillus niger being the most frequently occurring at 17.1%. Pathogenicity tests confirmed Colletotrichum spp. as the causal agent of anthracnose on cucumber with infected seedlings showing characteristic symptoms of leaf cracks and eventual plant death. This research highlights the threat posed by anthracnose to cucumber production in Keffi and the need for effective disease management techniques to reduce its impact