Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects cucurbit crops like squash, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. It causes white powdery spots on leaves and stems and can lead to defoliation. The disease is caused by two fungi, Sphaerotheca fuliginea or Erysiphe cichoracearum, and spreads via airborne spores. Spores are produced in warmer areas and blown northward, infecting crops. Management includes planting resistant varieties, improving air circulation, applying preventative fungicides on a schedule, and scouting regularly for early detection.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects cucurbit crops like squash, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. It causes white powdery spots on leaves and stems and can lead to defoliation. The disease is caused by two fungi, Sphaerotheca fuliginea or Erysiphe cichoracearum, and spreads via airborne spores. Spores are produced in warmer areas and blown northward, infecting crops. Management includes planting resistant varieties, improving air circulation, applying preventative fungicides on a schedule, and scouting regularly for early detection.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects cucurbit crops like squash, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. It causes white powdery spots on leaves and stems and can lead to defoliation. The disease is caused by two fungi, Sphaerotheca fuliginea or Erysiphe cichoracearum, and spreads via airborne spores. Spores are produced in warmer areas and blown northward, infecting crops. Management includes planting resistant varieties, improving air circulation, applying preventative fungicides on a schedule, and scouting regularly for early detection.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects cucurbit crops like squash, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. It causes white powdery spots on leaves and stems and can lead to defoliation. The disease is caused by two fungi, Sphaerotheca fuliginea or Erysiphe cichoracearum, and spreads via airborne spores. Spores are produced in warmer areas and blown northward, infecting crops. Management includes planting resistant varieties, improving air circulation, applying preventative fungicides on a schedule, and scouting regularly for early detection.
pale, chlorotic spots on leaves that soon turn powdery-white in appearance (fungal spores) and spread to petioles and stems (Fig. 1 and 2).
Figure 2. Powdery mildew-caused defoliation on
pumpkin. Photo: Ronald French.
Causal Agent Figure 1 Abundant powdery mildew on pumpkin Powdery mildew of cucurbits is caused by two leaves. Photo: Ronald French. organisms, Sphaerotheca fuliginea (syn. The disease starts on the crown and lower Podosphaera xanthii) and Erysiphe leaves, mainly on the under-leaf shaded cichoracearum (syn. Golovinomyces surface. Young plants may turn yellow, cichoracearum). S. fuliginea is more commonly stunted, and may die. Severely infected leaves reported worldwide, and prefers warmer become brown, brittle and die, resulting in weather, while E. cichoracearum prefers cooler foliage loss (Fig. 2). Exposed fruits may suffer weather. The two organisms have similar sun-scald. Other fruit symptoms include conidia, and can only be differentiated by the reduced size, malformation, poor flavor, fibrosin bodies only present in conidia of S. discoloration, speckled rind and shriveled fuliginea. handles. Powdery mildew affects all cucurbits, most commonly cantaloupes, squash, and pumpkins.
1 2 Prepared by Dr. Ronald French and Dr. Diana Schultz 1 2 Assistant Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist (Amarillo, TX); Plant Pathologist (Fort Myers, Florida) Texas AgriLife Extension Service; The Texas A&M System November 24, 2009 The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names are made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel is implied. Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating PLPA-Cuc009-01
Inoculum Source and conditions
The pathogen may overwinter in crop and weed refuse, but the main source of infection is conidia produced on cucurbits grown in warmer southern areas. The airborne conidia are blown northward early in the season. Thrips and other insects and farm equipment may disseminate the conidia within the crop. Conidia germination is induced by high humidity, but inhibited by free standing water. Conidia remain viable for 7-8 days; symptoms become apparent 3 to 7 days after infection. Leaves are most susceptible 16-23 days after unfolding. Dense plant stock and poor air circulation, coupled with low light intensity and high fertility, favor this disease. Dry conditions are conducive to sporulation and dispersal.
Management/Control
• Plant resistant varieties.
• Favor air circulation (proper spacing, balanced nitrogen amendments, weed control). • Apply preventive fungicides after runners start developing. Air-assisted sprayers are best for full plant coverage, including coverage of lower leaves and leaf undersurface. • Scout regularly. • Apply fungicides to control the disease. At first symptoms, a 7-14 day fungicide application schedule should be instated alternating contact and systemic fungicides to avoid resistance (QoI fungicides generate resistance and should not be used).
1 2 Prepared by Dr. Ronald French and Dr. Diana Schultz 1 2 Assistant Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist (Amarillo, TX); Plant Pathologist (Fort Myers, Florida) Texas AgriLife Extension Service; The Texas A&M System November 24, 2009 The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names are made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel is implied. Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
