-Inga Meadows, Shawn Butler, and Dr. Lina Quesada-Ocampo

Basil downy mildew (BDM) has been confirmed in a commercial greenhouse in eastern North Carolina. This is the earliest we have detected BDM in NC. Growers in the area should monitor their basil crops closely for symptoms of BDM and implement management strategies to prevent pathogen spread.

Samples were received and confirmed in the NC State University PDIC on May 14, 2019, as BDM.

For more information regarding identification of the pathogen and management of the disease please refer to our basil downy mildew fact sheet.

If you think you have downy mildew on your basil please contact your local Extension agent and send photos and/or physical samples to the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic so we can assist you with a diagnosis of the disease.