Over 1000 plant species in numerous plant families are susceptible to the pepper powdery mildew fungus. Leveillula taurica has been reported on greenhouse bell peppers but not on any other greenhouse vegetable crop in British Columbia. The disease can also infect tomato and eggplant while cucumbers are not as readily infected. Pepper powdery mildew infection can occur over a wide temperature range (19-33°C) with high or low humidity. The powdery mildew disease cycle (life cycle) starts when spores (known as conidia) land on a pepper leaf. Spores germinate much like a seed and begin to grow into the leaf. Pepper powdery mildew parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. The fungus initially grows unseen within the leaf for a latency period of 18-21 days. Then the fungus grows out of the leaf openings (stomata) on the undersurface of the leaf, producing conidiospores which are borne singly on numerous, fine strands or stalks called conidiophores. These fungal strands become visible as white patches, i.e. mildew colonies, on the undersurface of the leaf. Air currents within the greenhouse carry these microscopic, infectious spores to other plants. Spores are dispersed further through the greenhouse vents. In addition to dispersal by air currents or wind, powdery mildew can spread on ornamental plants and weeds, and by workers on their clothing. Repeated generations of powdery mildew can lead to severe outbreaks of the disease that economically damage the crop. Extra tags(ignore) capsicum red capsicum yellow capsicum Greenhouse farming greenhouse capsicum bell peppers sweet peppers What is powdery mildew common greenhouse diseases what is powdery mildew How to treat powdery mildew

• published: 10 Nov 2013
• views: 10