Cucurbit downy mildew!!!

Fig 1. Heavily infected cucumbers.

ALERT!  Downy mildew has been found in Cucurbit fields throughout Kings County!  

We are lucky here in Nova Scotia, we do not usually get downy mildew in our Cucurbit fields.  This disease is catastrophic - it can take out a field in a matter of days (Fig. 1).  It affects all Cucurbits: melons, watermelons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash.  It can very quickly breed fungicide resistance so rotating FRAC groups and following the label closely is key to management.  

Fig. 2. Downy mildew
sporulating on the
underside of a cucumber
leaf.  Sporangia can vary in
colour from light grey to
deep purple with a downy
appearance.

Monday's cool, drizzly weather has been perfect downy breeding conditions.  Abundant sporangia are produced if humidity is at 100% for 6 hours with temperature between 15-20˚C (Fig. 2). These sporangia are wind blown or splashed onto susceptible host tissue and germinate if leaves are wet for at least 2 hours at 20-25˚C.  Spores can also be carried on your tools, clothes and hands so DO NOT move from infected fields to healthy fields. Spores do not last indefinitely on non-host surfaces, for example exposing spores to sunlight for 4.5 hours kills 63% of the spores.  Spores can survive where there is moisture, for example on wet clothes or farm equipment, but needs living plant tissue to survive for any length of time.  It does not overwinter in our region.  This infection likely blew in from the Southern US.  

Fig. 3a. Early downy infection on
cucumber, leaf surface.

Pale green or yellow spots can be seen on the upper leaf surface as an early sign of infection.  These spots later turn brown and spread.  The spots are typically bound by leaf veins giving it a bit of an angular appearance, especially in cucumbers.  As the lesions spread, the whole leaf will turn brown and look like it's been zapped by frost.  

If downy mildew develops in fields nearby, but not in yours, use weekly rotations of Manzate + Zampro (FRAC group 40, 45) or Manzate +Torrent 400 SC (FRAC Group 21).  If downy mildew is present in your field, apply Phostrol (FRAC Group 33) or Orondis Ultra (FRAC Group 49, 40).  

For organic growers, if you have downy, use copper.  If you don’t have it, Serenade Opti (44), Serifel (BM02– cucumber only) with a liberal dose of prayer.

Fig 3b.  Underside of cucumber leaf.

For all pesticides, be sure to read the label carefully, and follow exactly.  If the label differs from what you read here, always follow the label.  Up-to-date labels can be found here.  

Do you know about Perennia's Pest Management Guides?  Every year we update pest management options for the major crops in Nova Scotia.  A complete listing can be found here (click on Vegetable Crops for the drop down menu).

Fig. 4a. Older lesions of downy
mildew on cucumber leaf surface

Fig 4b. Advanced downy mildew
infection, underside of cucumber leaf.

Fig 5. For contrast, this is powdery
mildew on squash. Powdery mildew
sprays are NOT effective against
downy mildew.