First report of Fusarium sambucinum causing postharvest fruit rot of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima)

In December 2019, two fungal isolates were isolated from rotting tissue of winter squash ( Cucurbita maxima ) fruits stored in Hokkaido, Japan. These isolates were identified as Fusarium sambucinum based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing analysis. Inoculation of wounds in winter squash fruits with the isolates resulted in the same symptoms, and the isolates were reisolated, revealing that they were pathogenic. This is the first report of F. sambucinum causing postharvest fruit rot of winter squash.