Agronomy • 2021-08-10

Controlling Powdery Mildew in Fruiting and Leafy Vegetables

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Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can infect fruiting and leafy vegetables in all plant parts above the ground, including green shoots, leaves, flowers and fruit¹. When crops are infected, the disease can appear as white or grey dusty patches on leaf surfaces² – hence the name “powdery” mildew.

The disease infection begins in late summer when the foliage is already weakened and humidity is higher around leaves with a dense canopy³.Powdery mildew is favoured by warm, humid weather and does not require free moisture nor rainfall⁴ to spread. All that is needed for disease development is shade, high humidity and temperatures of 15-20 degrees Celsius⁵.

In addition to leaving crops with powdery patches on surfaces, powdery mildew reduces photosynthesis which results in reduced yield and lower-quality crops⁶, impacting the marketability and profitability of the crop.

As always, it is critical to have an integrated pest management (IPM) program in place to maximize yield across every acre. Consider including a fungicide to prevent and control powdery mildew in fruiting and leafy vegetables such as a group 7 fungicide like Fontelis.

Fontelis fungicide

With powerful and flexible disease management, Fontelis provides residual, preventative and post-infection activity on a broad-spectrum of key diseases – including powdery mildew. It contains the active ingredient penthiopyrad, a carboxamide fungicide that inhibits succinate dehydrogenase, thereby blocking fungal respiration. Fontelis controls plant diseases caused by many Ascomycete and Basidiomycete fungi by blocking both spore germination and mycelial growth.

Fontelis provides translaminar and local systemic movement within the plant. Its mode of action allows for flexible application timing, but for best control of powdery mildew, follow these application best practices:

Fruiting Vegetables (eggplant, pepper, tomato and tomatillo only):

Application Rate: 1.0 to 1.75 L/ha
Directions: Begin applications prior to disease development and continue on a 7- to 10-day interval. Use the highest rate and the shortest interval when conditions favour high disease pressure. Use a minimum water volume of 110 L/ha to ensure thorough coverage. Minimum time between application and harvest (preharvest interval) is 0 days for fruiting vegetables. DO NOT apply using aerial application equipment. Always read and follow label directions.

Leafy Vegetables (lettuce, endive, garland chrysanthemum and red chicory only):

Application Rate: 1.0 to 1.75 L/ha
Directions: Begin applications prior to disease development and continue on a 7- to 10-day interval. Use the highest rate and the shortest interval when conditions favour high disease pressure. Use a minimum water volume of 110 L/ha to ensure thorough coverage. Minimum time between application and harvest (preharvest interval) is 3 days for leafy vegetables. DO NOT apply using aerial application equipment. Always read and follow label directions

Our dedicated horticulture experts are here to provide you with technical recommendations and support to help you make the best agronomic decisions for your operation. Ask them about Fontelis fungicide to control powdery mildew in fruiting and leafy vegetables.

Powdery Mildew

Fontelis fungicide

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