DISEASES DUE TO FUNGI 117 
Penicillium and Fusarium Fruit Rots of the Tomato.— 
Frequently various species of Penicillium and Fusarium 
are found in tomato fruits, showing hard, brown diseased 
patches. These have been isolated and shown to produce 
a rot of healthy fruits. 
In nature, however, attacks by these fungi generally 
follow “‘ blossom end” rot which is not due to parasites. 
The lesions of this disorder are very attractive to insects, 
and it is probable that spores of Penicillium sp. and 
Fusarium sp. are introduced into the affected tissues by 
this means. 
The control of the rot due to these fungi is largely 
to be obtained by eliminating the insect carriers. 
_ Other Tomato Fruit Rots.—Besides the rots previously 
discussed a number of others have been reported in this 
country, but as they are of minor importance and exist 
mainly on tomatoes grown in the open, it is unnecessary 
to describe them. The fungi causing these rots include 
species of Phoma, Gleosporium, COolletotrichum, and 
Diplodina. 
Other fruit rots caused by Macrosporium solani, 
M. tomato, and Phytophthora infestans are discussed later. 
“ Gummosis”’ of Cucumber Fruits.—This is a common 
disease of cucumbers under glass, caused by Cladosporiwm 
cucumerinum. Commonly it appears towards the end 
of the season, but under favourable conditions it may 
appear much earlier. The first sign of the disease is the 
appearance of small, sunken spots, mainly on the concave 
side of the fruit. These rapidly extend and the skin 
ruptures, when a small drop of amber-coloured, gummy 
liquid exudes. This hardens and has the appearance 
of a small globule of gum-arabic. Finally the fungus 
grows out and the whole lesion becomes covered with a 
dark olive-green velvety growth bearing numerous spores 
(Fig. 34). The lesions frequently crack, exposing the 
white flesh. 
