Studies On Some Fungal Diseases Of Luffa Cylindrica In Egypt

Loofa ( Luffa aegyptiaca= L.cylindrica L.), family Cucurbitaceae, is an important not traditonal summer crop in Egypt due to its high profitable income per feddan. The cultavated area began to be increased during the last ten years, mainly in the Nile Valley lands, due to the increase in bocal consumption and forign exportation.Howevere, the crop is cultavater in the majority of the Egyption governorates, but the most considerable areas has been restricted in Behera followed by Alexandria, Dakahlia and Sharkia governorates.This Investigation was planned to study soilborne fungal diseases occurrrence, symptoms and the causal organisms with loofa plants in order to determine pathogenic capability of each isolated fungus alone or in combinations . Factors affecting the growth of pathogenic fungal genera under laboratory conditions, were also undertaken. The chemical control trails under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions , were also carried out.