Written by Md Ziaur Rahman Bhuiyan and Lina M. Quesada-Ocampo.
Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) is caused by an obligate oomycete, Pseudoperonospora cubensis. This disease was confirmed on squash in Johnson County, North Carolina on August 25, 2023. Disease incidence was approximately 15% and the affected leaves showed 45% disease severity (Figure 1). Samples were brought to the NC State Vegetable Pathology lab and confirmation of the P. cubensis clade 1 isolates were made via clade-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay.
Diseased leaves had circular to irregularly shaped chlorotic lesions on the upper surface, while dark gray sporulations were observed on the underside of the leaves. Sporangia which are the microscopic structures that are unique to P. cubensis were observed on the lower surface of the leaves using a dissecting microscope (Figure 2).
P. cubensis has two clades which are host-specific to cucurbit crops. In North Carolina, clade 1 isolates commonly infect watermelon, squash, and pumpkin while the clade 2 isolates infect cucumber and cantaloupe. Therefore, cucurbit growers are encouraged to take immediate steps to protect their crops with effective fungicides.
Since P. cubensis has the potential to become resistant to fungicides quickly; it is critical to have a strong spray program. Growers are recommended to use a tank mix of site-specific fungicides with alternating modes of action. The annual fungicide efficacy trials in North Carolina showed differences in effectiveness of fungicides between clade 1 and clade 2. Therefore, please refer to our cucurbit downy mildew fact sheet for effective disease management strategies based on the type of cucurbit crop.
Contact your local Extension Agent, if you have any downy mildew in your crops or field. You may also send the physical samples and/or photos to the NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. Please make a completely anonymous report to the cucurbit downy mildew forecasting website (CDM IPMpipe) immediately after validation. CDM management remains a shared effort within the community, since this pathogen is airborne and can travel far distances via air currents. Growers and homeowners are highly encouraged to actively scout cucurbit leaves for downy mildew throughout the growing season.
Register with the CDM IPMpipe to receive texts, emails and/or phone alerts when new disease outbreaks are reported near you.
