| Peronospora belbahrii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Basil plant in Hawaii infected with Peronospora belbahrii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Clade: | Pseudofungi |
| Class: | Oomycetes |
| Order: | Peronosporales |
| Family: | Peronosporaceae |
| Genus: | Peronospora |
| Species: | P. belbahrii |
| Binomial name | |
| Peronospora belbahrii Thines | |
Peronospora belbahrii, common name basil downy mildew, is a pathogenic water mold that affects basil species. Rapidly spread by windborn spores, the pathogen was first discovered in Italy in 2003. [1] In 2007 it was detected in Florida and by 2008 had already spread to outdoor and greenhouse basil crops in the United States and Canada. [2] Infections are untreatable and usually lead to complete crop loss, although multiple mildew-resistant cultivars have been developed and are now available for commercial and home growers. [3] Leaves from affected plants are unmarketable due to their unappetizing appearance, but remain safe for human consumption. [4]