Why sudden wilt occurs in muskmelon?

This disorder refers to sudden vine collapse or rapid wilting of vine soon as the fruits start to develop netting and the vines have covered the ground. The entire plants in the field may collapse within a couple of days and fail to recover. Enormous pathogens have been found associated with this disorder and may be the primary causes of the observed symptoms. Fusarium and Pithium fungi have been linked to this disorder.

Soil fumigation delays the development of such symptoms. Periods of cool and cloudy weather during growth of the plant followed by hot sunny conditions increase the incidence of this disorder.