Tuesday, July 2, 2013

What is Powdery Mildew?

pow·der·y mil·dew

Mildew on a plant that is marked by a white floury covering consisting of conidia.

Treatment

Controlling the disease involves eliminating conducive conditions as much as possible by altering planting density and carefully timing applications and rates of nitrogen. Since nitrogen fertilizers encourage dense leafy growth, nitrogen should be applied at precise rates, less than 70 pounds per acre, to control decrease severity. Crop rotation with non-host plants is another way to keep mildew infection to a minimum, however the aerial nature of conidia and ascospore dispersal makes it of limited use. Wheat powdery mildew can also be controlled by eliminating the presence of volunteer wheat in agricultural fields as well as tilling under crop residues.

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1 comment:

  1. I have this all over my peony. Plant is huge and healthy, had many blooms this year. Not fertilizing at all, though dog pees on it from time to time. If "altering plant density" is crucial I guess I need to thin out some branches?

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