Powdery mildew

causes identification and their reproduction

1. A PRESENTATION ON POWDERY MILDEW By Saisikan Patra

2. Powdery mildew Introduction:-  It is a fungal disease Affects a wide variety of plants and takes away plant’s nutrients. This causes the plant to bloom less and become weaker.  Its symptoms are quite distinctive & easy to identify Powdery mildew grows well in environments with high humidity and moderate temperatures The powdery growth is a mass of conidia borne on conidiophores .

3. Causes Of Powdery Mildew:- The overwinter in plant debris begin producing spores in the spring. These spores are carried to your plants via wind, insects, and splashing water. Conditions that encourage the growth and spread of powdery mildew include: Dampness or high humidity Crowded plantings Poor air circulation  (Powdery mildew on Mapple )

4. Is Powdery Mildew Dangerous ? In many cases, powdery mildew is not fatal to the plant; instead, it’s more of an aesthetic issue. However, if left untreated, powdery mildew can leech nutrients from the plant, eventually causing leaves to wither and yellow. This can make blooms unsightly and leave vegetables and fruits particularly vulnerable to sunburn. Powdery mildew can eventually reduce the plant’s producing capacity and affect the flavors of fruits

5. Identification:- Plants infected with powdery mildew look as if they have been dusted with flour Powdery mildew usually starts off as circular, white spots, which can appear on leaves, stems, and sometimes fruit. Powdery mildew usually covers the upper part of the leaves and affects the older leaves first; the leaves turn yellow and dry out. The fungus might cause some leaves to twist, break, or become distorted. These symptoms usually appear late in the growing season. 

6. Steps involved in powdery mildew affected trees:-

7. Reproduction:- Powdery mildew fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction is via  chasmothecia a type of  ascocarp , Within each ascocarp are several  asci . Over time,  ascospores mature and are released to initiate new infections. Conditions necessary for spore maturation differ among species Wooly aphids ( Eriosomatinae ) and other sucking insects are often vectors of transmission for powdery mildew Aphids penetrate plant surfaces where they often reside and provide a host of potential inoculants through physical, digestive or fecal secretions

8. Which Plants And Vegetables Are Most Susceptible? There is a variety of powdery mildew species and they can affect different types of plants. While no plant is 100% immune,  here are some   plants that tend to be particularly susceptible.

9. Prevention of Powdery Mildew Plant mildew-resistant plant varieties Ensure there is enough spacing between your plants to provide enough airflow around all parts of the plant. Don’t over fertilize your plants. New growth tends to be very susceptible to powdery mildew development. Put plants where they will get enough light and avoid overly shady locations. Make sure the soil can drain properly. Inadequate drainage can make soil a breeding ground for disease-causing organisms. Use compost to boost the nutrient levels in the soil, which will in turn increase beneficial microorganism populations. Keep plants properly maintained by removing any dead or diseased foliage and stems. Use preventative treatment options, like a  sulfur fungicide , before powdery mildew even forms.

10. How To Control Powdery Mildew Rubbing the infected leaves together can help partially remove the disease from  plants. Remove all the infected plant parts and destroy them. Do not compost any infected plant, as the disease can still be spread by the wind. Spray infected plants with fungicides. Effective fungicides for powdery mildew treatments or cures include sulfur, lime-sulfur, neemoil,&potassium  bicarbonate  as  triadimefon  and  propiconazole ., Bavistin Another chemical treatment involves treating with a silicon solution or calcium silicate slag Sulfur and Fish Oil + Sesame Oil are effective bio fungicides that act against powdery mildew

11.   Baking soda combined with liquid soap and water, can be a powerful weapon. It’s normally most beneficial if used as a preventative measure rather than a treatment. Since dry conditions coupled with high humidity are often the culprits behind powdery mildew growth, watering plants overhead and getting the entire plant wet can help.  Hyperparasites of powdery mildew Ampelomyces quisqualis  is an anamorphic fungus is a  hyperparasite  of powdery mildews. In the family  Sphaeropsidaceae  of the  Sphaeropsidales  fungi, species of the genus  Cicinnobolus are hyperparasites of powdery mildew. This parasitism reduces growth and may eventually kill the mildew.