Causal Agent: 

Abiotic

Characteristic Symptoms:
 

Stem of affected melon seedlings and plants split open near the soil line.

   
Conditions for Disease Development
 
Stem splitting is often observed when temperatures are low or when there is a period of rapid growth resulting from high temperatures, increased irrigation, or high fertility.
   
Stem splitting usually affects melon seedlings during transplant production.
   
Management and Control:
 
Provide warm, uniform temperatures throughout the growing season.
   
Apply fertilizers at the proper rate and timing. 
   
   

References:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id91/id91.pdf

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