October 18, 2021 – A fungus that has attacked pumpkin crops dating back centuries has returned to Central Illinois. The fungus, named Phytophthora capsici, is particularly dangerous to pumpkins as well as other fruits and vegetables. The fungus growth causes pumpkins to prematurely rot and renders them unable to be sold.
The fungus has thrived off of rainfall across the region have helped it spread. It destroys crop roots and growth in places that have not been mitigated.
