US (IL): Spring weather may hamper fall pumpkin crop

Prime time for pumpkins is coming up, and the 2010 crop may not be in the best of shape. A professor of plant pathology at the University of Illinois says a plant disease similar to one which started the Irish potato famine could be to blame.

Mohammad Babadoost says Phytophera blight has been detected in some Illinois pumpkins. That's bad, because in addition to the abundance of pumpkins suitable for jack-o-lanterns in Illinois, almost all of the nation's pumpkin processing -- for pies, breads, etc. -- takes place here.

Babadoost, who says it's too early to tell what the effect will be on this year's pumpkin yield, says people concerned about diseases in foods such as pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and melons may contact him at babadoos@illinois.edu