By Matthew Needham, Western Region Technical Sales Manager
As we move into late spring and early summer, it is becoming powdery mildew season again. In talking to growers, consultants and pest control advisors, many agree that last summer became the worst powdery mildew year in the past decade. Rain and favorable environmental conditions helped the disease take over, and growers were playing catch up all season until harvest.
Moderate temperatures of 60� to 80�F and shady conditions are the most favorable for powdery mildew development. Most powdery mildew fungi produce airborne spores and infect plants when temperatures are moderate. The mildew can spread rapidly since the disease cycle can be completed in as little as 72 hours. Injury due to powdery mildew includes stunting and distortion of leaves, buds, and growing tips. The fungus may cause death of invaded tissue. Yellowing of leaves may result and nutrients are removed from the plant by the fungus during infection.
Protect the overall health of your greenhouse, orchard, nursery or field crop with MilStop. Choose MilStop for curative control of powdery mildew or use for preventative control of most other foliar diseases and get a head start on controlling the disease. EPA registered, OMRI approved for organic use, with just a 1 hour re-entry interval makes it an ideal fit in any rotational or stand-alone fungicide program.