The most practical method of control is the use of resistant cultivars. If fungicides are to be used, they must be applied with high pressure sprayers to assure complete coverage of foliage undersides. Good air drainage and growing in fields isolated from earlier plantings will also lessen disease severity. Rotation and reduced planting density to promote more open canopies should also be considered in areas with high incidence of this disease. When the fungus, Choanephora, becomes established in senescent blossoms, it invades the young squash fruits, causing them to decay.
Infected fruits look like pin cushions covered with small, black headed pins.
Wet periods promote prolific growth which restricts air circulation around the base of the plant and increases the incidence of this disease. The fungus is spread by insects, wind and splashing water. No controls are available. Gummy stem blight is a warm, wet weather, fungal disease of cucurbits which primarily affects older tissue. It is the most serious disease of melons in Georgia and the most destructive foliar disease of watermelon and cucumber in the southeastern states.