US (IL): Downy mildew outbreak could affect cucurbit crops
Babadoost, a plant pathologist in the Department of Crop Sciences at U of I, observed heavy sporulation of the pathogen on leaves in the affected field. “With current weather conditions, the pathogen could spread very fast and affect all cucurbit crops,” he says.
Farmers can protect cucurbit crops by applying fungicides, according to Babadoost.
“I suggest the following fungicides for control of cucurbit downy mildew in Illinois: mandipropamid (Revus, FRAC: 40) + chlorothalonil (Bravo Weather Stik, FRAC: M), alternated with oxathiapiprolin + chlorothalonil (Orondis Opti, FRAC: U15 + M) or cyazofamid (Ranman, FRAC: 21) + chlorothalonil (Bravo Weather Stik) or fluazinam (Omega, FRAC: 29),” he says.
As always, label recommendations, particularly pre-harvest interval (PHI), should be carefully considered when applying fungicides.
For more information:
go.illinois.edu/downy_mildew