Powdery mildew
Podosphaera leucotricha
What is Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha)?
Powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) is a fungal disease that affects a variety of plants, such as apples, almonds, pears, quince, peach, and photinia. It is found worldwide in apple production regions. This disease can impact leaves, buds, shoots, blossoms, and fruit. Typical symptoms include whitish patches on the lower leaf surface, yellow spots on the upper surface, and a powdery appearance due to white spores. Leaves may exhibit curling and dropping, while buds become more vulnerable to winter damage. Infected fruit may develop a netlike russeting.
How does Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) occur?
Powdery mildew reproduces through a combination of asexual and sexual methods. It produces asexual spores called conidia, which spread through wind or insects, causing new infections. Under specific conditions, it forms sexual fruiting bodies called chasmothecia, which produce sexual spores called ascospores. These ascospores can survive tough conditions and infect plants in the following seasons. The ability to reproduce both ways helps powdery mildew survive, spread, and adapt as a plant disease.
Symptoms
1 - Effects on plants
Powdery mildew weakens plants by interfering with their photosynthesis, resulting in reduced vigor and growth. Moreover, infected plants may experience decreased fruit or flower production, leading to lower overall yields.
2 - Effects on soil
Infected leaves that decompose can disrupt the natural process of nutrient cycling in the soil. It can also affect the composition and function of soil microorganisms, potentially altering soil ecology.
3 - Effects on the Environment
Severe powdery mildew outbreaks can harm plant diversity, impacting ecosystems where susceptible plants are prevalent.
Solutions
6 - Cultural Control
• Pruning and sanitation: Pruning helps reduce inoculum by removing infected plant parts, but it can be labor-intensive for larger operations. • Orchard maintenance: Regular maintenance, including opening the tree canopy, improves fungicide deposition and reduces humidity, hindering pathogen development.
7 - Chemical Management
• Timely fungicide applications effectively control powdery mildew. • Elemental sulfur is commonly used for management. • Inorganic potassium carbonates and kaolin-based particle film are used in organic production. • Resistance management strategies include rotating fungicide modes of action. • Anilinopyrimidines, once commonly used, are now less favored. • Surfactant treatments show some reduction in infections but may delay bud break and flowering. • Fungicide-surfactant mix applications are more effective with reduced phytotoxicity.
8 - Biological Control
• Plant oil extracts, like sunflower, olive, and canola oils, can control powdery mildew symptoms. • Biocontrol organisms (e.g., Ampelomyces mycoparasites, Bacillus species) show varying success. • Research is ongoing to identify effective biocontrol agents and naturally derived antimicrobial compounds.
Susceptible Species
Peaches And Cream Japanese Maple
Strawberry Tree
Common Paw Paw
Akane Apple
Ambrosia Apple
Belle de Boskoop Apple
Braeburn Apple
Candied Apple Flowering Crab
Chehalis Apple
Cortland Apple
Cox's Orange Pippin Apple
Dolgo Apple
Donald Wyman Flowering Crab
Elstar Apple
Gala Apple
Golden Delicious Apple
Golden Russet Apple
Granny Smith Apple
Gravenstein Apple
Honeycrisp Apple
Jonagold Apple
Jonathan Apple
Liberty Apple
Lodi Apple
Louisa Flowering Crab
Macintosh Apple
Melrose Apple
Norland Apple
Pink Lady Apple
Red Delicious Apple
Red Jewel Flowering Crab
Scarlet Pippin Apple
Sentinel Flowering Crab
Snowdrift Flowering Crab
Spartan Apple
Summerland Apple
Wealthy Apple
Yellow Transparent Apple
Zestar Apple
pineapple guava
apple serviceberry
apple serviceberry
pineapple
pineapple
variegated pineapple
custard apple
strawberry tree
willow bell
willow bell
peach-leaved bellflower
willow bell
willow bell
willow bell
Japanese quince
Japanese quince
flowering quince
flowering quince
flowering quince
flowering quince
flowering quince
flowering quince
star apple
quince
pineapple broom
pricklyburr
argyle-apple
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
pineapple lily
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
apple
Siberian crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
apple
Japanese crabapple
crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
apple
dwarf apple
columnar apple
columnar apple
dwarf apple
Sargent crabapple
Sargent crabapple
flowering crabapple
crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
flowering crabapple
redbud crabapple
apple mint
may-apple
may-apple
may-apple
David's peach
dwarf peach
peach
ornamental peach
dwarf peach
peach
peach
dwarf nectarine
dwarf nectarine
dwarf nectarine
Chinese-quince
dappled willow
pineapple sage
pineapple sage
Malaysian apple
atlas broom
Royal Raindrops crabapple
European crabapple
pineapple weed
Bael
Cashew Nut
Pineapple
Smooth-barked apple
Pond Apple
Mountain Soursop
Custard Apple (Chirimoya - Cuba)
Golden Sugar Apple
Sugar Apple
Albino Berry
Pineapple Broom
Pawpaw
Peach Palm
Swallow-Wort
Cocky apple
Seven-year Apple
Dwarf Apple Blossom Tree
Apple Blossom Tree
Apple Blossom Tree
Pink Shower Tree
Palmilla
Night Blooming Cereus
Flowering quince
Caimito
Copey
Quince
Desert Thorn Apple
Thorn Apple
Thorn Apple
Jimsonweed
Pineapple Orchid
Elephant Apple
Katmon
Velvet Apple
Gold Apple
Kei Apple
Argyle Apple
Pineapple Lily
Pineapple Lily
Pineapple Lily
Feijoa
Seven Year Apple
Hibiscus Jane Cowel Double peach
Wild peach
Pineapple Zamia
Sunsapote
Wood Apple
Osage Orange
Apple
Low Chill Apple
Mammee Apple
Pomme Jacquot
Balsam Apple
Bitter Melon
Mouse's Pineapple
Mussaenda Queen Sirikit
Sweet Calabash
Bell Apple
Apple Leaf
Cocky Apple
Monkey Apple
Cinnamon Apple
Broadleaved Lucuma
Nectarine
Peach
Pineapple Sage
African Peach
Pineapple Cactus
Cockroach berry
Kangaroo Apple
Tropical Soda Apple
Cork Tree
Gedabu
Water Cherry
Sea Apple
Rose apple
Malay Apple
Wild Rose Apple
Wax jamboo
Red Bush Apple
Adam's Apple
Eve's Apple
Wild Custard Apple
Elephant Apple
Apple
Water Apple
White Apple
Pineapple Guava
FAQ
Do shade growing plants need any Sunlight?
Shade growing plants do need sunlight, although they require less than other plants. They need some direct sunlight each morning to help them photosynthesize and grow properly. Also, indirect sunlight throughout the day helps them stay healthy. Shade growing plants will benefit from the sunshine, but if they get too much or too little, then they can suffer the consequences. It's important to pay attention to the needs of your plants so that you can provide them with the proper light for optimal growth.
How often should you water indoor plants?
Indoor plants should be watered when the soil feels dry to a depth of about two inches, usually about once a week. A helpful technique to determine your plants' watering needs is to feel the soil before and after watering to get a sense of how long it takes to dry out. An important note to remember is that some plants require less water than others, and it's best to research the specific needs of your individual plants. Likewise, if your home is very dry, you might need to water more often as the lack of moisture can stress the plants and lead to problems like brown leaves and wilted stems.
Can my monstera plant get root rot?
Yes, a plant can get root rot. Root rot is a fungal disease that can be caused by over-watering, poor soil drainage, or high humidity levels in the air. Signs of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting and stunted growth, and damaged or browning root systems. Sometimes it is difficult to detect root rot until the plant is removed from the soil, as the problems are mainly below the soil surface. Treating root rot usually involves removing the affected parts of the plant and replanting the unaffected ones.
Can I put my Monstera outside in summer?
No, you should not put your Monstera outside in summer. Monstera plants need warm, humid air to thrive, and direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Instead, put your Monstera in a bright, sunny spot with indirect light, making sure the sun never directly hits the leaves. During the summer, keep your Monstera's soil damp and mist it occasionally to keep the leaves hydrated. At nighttime, keep the temperature around 16 - 21°C (60 - 70°F). You can definitely take your Monstera outdoors for short periods of time, just make sure to bring it back in if it starts to get too hot.
What happens if my monstera plant gets too cold?
If your monstera plant gets too cold, it will become vulnerable to pests, disease, or other damage. Cold temperatures can damage the leaves of the plant, causing them to become spotted or limp. The roots of monstera plants may also suffer in cold temperatures, leading to root rot or other diseases. Belonging to the tropical family, monsteras are used to warm environments and do not do well in cold temperatures, so it is important to ensure your plant is kept in conditions that suit their needs.
Is it possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space?
Yes, it is possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space. Gardening in a small space can be as simple as growing a few containerized plants in pots and raised beds, or as elaborate as vertically stacking planters, hanging pouches, and hanging baskets on a wall, railing, or fence. Regardless of the size of the space you are working with, some simple techniques such as companion planting, organic fertilizers, and water conservation can help you get the most out of your small vegetable garden.
Is peppermint herb green good for digestion?
Peppermint herb is indeed beneficial for digestion. The flavonoids in the herb support digestion by reducing inflammation in the digestive track, aiding in digestion and relieving indigestion, heartburn, and even the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, peppermint is naturally rich in menthol, which helps to relax the muscles of the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. Peppermint herb can be consumed in a variety of forms, such as teas, tinctures and capsules, as well as by adding the herb to food or directly to water or tea.
Should peppermint herb green be consumed daily?
No, peppermint herb green should not be consumed daily. This is because it contains high levels of menthol, which can be toxic if taken in large doses. Additionally, consuming large amounts of peppermint herb green could interfere with the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, potentially causing vitamin deficiencies. For these reasons, it is best to consult with a doctor before incorporating peppermint herb green into your daily diet.
