Rotting in Squash Fruits Grown in Kayseri Province: Risk Factors and Suggestions

Rotting in squash fruits which is starting by the august-september period, in early stages of fruit development, are among frequently reported plant protection problems reported by the growers, in squash growery in kayseri province. possible risk factors for fruit rotting were collected with public surveys in tomarza, yeşilhisar and develi districts in the september 2018, and suggestions were presented. about 50% of farmers contributing the surveys reported the rotting as the most common problem in squash growing. also, 60% of farmers considered weeds as the major cause of fruit rotting. it is evaluated that fruit spines of tribulus terrestris l. and xanthium strumarium l., both commonly found weeds in region, may cause thin wounds on fruit skin, and therefore might be among the rotting factors. the fungal flora was determined from the fruits with rotting symptoms. cladosporium spp. were identified as the most prevalent fungus species with an isolation rate of 18%, among the 12 identified fungi genus. it is concluded that rotting symptoms are caused by secondary saprophytic fungi, rather than primary disease agents.