Powdery mildew | |
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Causal agents | Species of fungi in the order Erysiphales |
Hosts | plants |
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants. Powdery mildew diseases are caused by many different species of ascomycete fungi in the order Erysiphales. Powdery mildew is one of the easier plant diseases to identify, as the signs of the causal pathogen are quite distinctive. Infected plants display white powdery spots on the leaves and stems. [1] This mycelial layer may quickly spread to cover all of the leaves. The lower leaves are the most affected, but the mildew can appear on any above-ground part of the plant. As the disease progresses, the spots get larger and denser as large numbers of asexual spores are formed, and the mildew may spread up and down the length of the plant.
Powdery mildew grows well in environments with high humidity and moderate temperatures; greenhouses provide an ideal moist, temperate environment for the spread of the disease. This causes harm to agricultural and horticultural practices where powdery mildew may thrive in a greenhouse setting. [2] In an agricultural or horticultural setting, the pathogen can be controlled using chemical methods, bio-organic methods, and genetic resistance. It is important to be aware of powdery mildew and its management strategies as the resulting disease can significantly reduce important crop yields. [3]
Powdery mildew fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually. [4] Sexual reproduction occurs via chasmothecia (formerly cleistothecium), a type of ascocarp in which genetic recombination takes place. Ascocarps including chasmothecia, apothecia, perithecia, and pseudothecia, are the fruiting bodies unique to fungi in the Ascomycota phylum (known as ascomycetes). Within each ascocarp are several asci that contain ascospores. Powdery mildew fungi must be adapted to their host for successful infection.[ citation needed ]
Under optimal conditions, ascospores mature and are released to initiate new infections. [5] Conditions necessary for spore maturation differ among species. In asexual reproduction, the mother fungi and offspring are genetically identical. [4] Asexual reproduction is the predominant form of reproduction and dispersal in powdery mildew infections of wheat and barley species, as compared to sexual reproduction. [6] Yet sexual reproduction results in durable and resistant overwintering spores, produced in chasmothecia. These spores are dark (to protect against UV irradiation), round and thick-walled (to protect against freezing rupture), giving them the ability to survive throughout the winter. They will germinate in the spring for new infection. [7]
DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is an enzymatic system for recognizing and repairing erroneous base insertions, deletions, and mis-incorporations in DNA that can arise during DNA replication and recombination. [8] This system can also repair some forms of DNA damage. Four closely related species of plant parasites from the powdery mildew genera were found to have lost between 5 and 21 of the 48 to 52 MMR genes that are present in most other ascomycete genomes. [9] The powdery mildew species with higher levels of MMR gene loss exhibited elevated rates of various types of mutation. [9] These elevated mutation rates suggest that a lack of genes essential for accurate DNA replication can cause an increased rate of sequence evolution and evolutionary diversification. [9]
In an agricultural setting, the pathogen can be controlled using chemical methods, genetic resistance, and careful farming methods.[ citation needed ] Some cultivated plants have varieties resistant to powdery mildew.[ citation needed ]
Powdery mildew growth can be limited by reducing humidity, such as by allowing space between plants for airflow, and pruning to thin foliage. [7]
Standard fungicides are an effective way to manage powdery mildew disease on plants. [10] Spray programs of conventional fungicides are advised to begin when powdery mildew symptoms and signs are first noticed. [11] Conventional fungicides should be applied on a regular basis for best results against the disease. [11]
Control is possible with triadimefon and propiconazole. It is also possible with hexaconazole, myclobutanil, and penconazole. [10]
Some unconventional chemical control methods offer alternative modes of action. [2] The most effective non-conventional methods of chemical control against powdery mildew are milk, natural sulfur (S8>), potassium bicarbonate, metal salts, and oils. [12]
Metal salt fungicides should be applied on a regular basis up until harvest of the host. [12] Sulfur must be applied before the disease has emerged since it prevents fungi spores from germinating. [13] Copper sulfate is an effective fungicide allowed in organic farming, but can cause harm to the host plant. Addition of lime hampers this effect. [13]
Neem oil effectively manages powdery mildew on many plants by interfering with the fungus' metabolism and terminating spore production. [13] Sulfur and Fish Oil + Sesame Oil is a mixture effective against powdery mildew. [2]
Milk has long been popular with home gardeners and small-scale organic growers as a treatment for powdery mildew. Milk is diluted with water (typically 1:10) and sprayed on susceptible plants at the first sign of infection, or as a preventative measure, with repeated weekly application often controlling or eliminating the disease. Studies have shown milk's effectiveness as comparable to some conventional fungicides, [14] and better than benomyl and fenarimol at higher concentrations. [15] Milk has proven effective in treating powdery mildew of summer squash, [15] pumpkins, [14] grapes, [16] and roses. [16] The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but one known effect is that ferroglobulin, a protein in whey, produces oxygen radicals when exposed to sunlight, and contact with these radicals is damaging to the fungus. [16]
Dilute sprays containing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and vegetable or mineral oils in water are often recommended for controlling powdery mildew, but such mixtures have limited and inconsistent efficacy. [17] While sodium bicarbonate has been shown to reduce to growth of mildews in lab tests, sprays containing only baking soda and water are not effective in controlling fungal diseases on infected plants, and high concentrations of sodium are harmful to plants. [17]
Potassium bicarbonate is an effective low-toxicity fungicide against powdery mildew and apple scab. [18] [19] [20] [21]
Another non-conventional chemical treatment involves treating with a solution of calcium silicate. Silicon helps the plant cells defend against fungal attack by degrading haustoria and by producing callose and papilla. With silicon treatment, epidermal cells of wheat are less susceptible to powdery mildew. [22]
The Pm3 allele is an effective genetic resistance strategy that protects host species against powdery mildew fungus. [23]
In 2014, resistance was induced in hexaploid bread wheat to powdery mildew via targeted mutations with the use of CRISPR and TALENS gene-editing technology. [24]
Sunflower powdery mildew is a disease caused by the pathogens Golovinomyces cichoracearum , Podosphaera xanthii , and Leveillula taurica . The symptoms caused by L. taurica differ from the other pathogen symptoms. Green-yellow spots appear on upper leaf surface. [25]
Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, causes powdery mildew of wheat, whereas f. sp. hordei causes powdery mildew of barley.[ citation needed ]
Legumes, such as soybeans, are affected by Microsphaera diffusa . [26]
Erysiphe necator (or Uncinula necator) causes powdery mildew of grapes.[ citation needed ]
The fungus causing powdery mildew of onions is Leveillula taurica (also known by its anamorph name, Oidiopsis taurica). It also infects the artichoke.[ citation needed ]
Podosphaera leucotricha causes powdery mildew of apples and pears.[ citation needed ]
Multiple species of fungus can cause powdery mildew of cucurbits: cucumbers, squashes (including pumpkins), luffas, melons, and watermelons.
Podosphaera xanthii (a.k.a. Sphaerotheca fuliginea) is the most commonly reported cause on cucurbits. [27] Erysiphe cichoracearum was formerly reported to be the primary causal organism throughout most of the world. [27] [28]
Since 1925, commercial Cucumis melo (cantaloup and muskmelon) production has been engaged in a biological "arms race" against cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) caused by the fungus Podosphaera xanthii , with new cultivars of melons being developed for resistance to successively arising races of the fungus, identified simply as race 1, race 2, etc. (seven in total by 2004), for races found around the world, and race N1 through N4 for some divergent races native to Japan. [29] Various subraces have been identified, and given names such as race 2U.S., race 3.5, and race 4.5. [30] A new race S was discovered in 2003, and a specific melon cultivar (C. melo var. acidulus 'PI 313970') found resistant to it, then used for backcrossing to increase resistance in other cultivars. [30] Such modern selective breeding of plants for phytopathological resistance to particular fungal races involves a great deal of genetic research; this PI 313970 versus race S case involved multi-stage hybridization to propagate a recessive gene, pm-S in successive generations, and how this may affect other recessive and codominant genes for resistance to other races of P. xanthii "remains to be determined". [30]
A 2004 literature review regarding powdery mildew races that parasitize various cucurbit plants concluded that "race identification is important for basic research and is especially important for the commercial seed industry, which requires accuracy in declaring the type and level of resistance ... in its products". However, identifying specific races was seen as having little utility in horticulture for choosing specific cultivars, because of the rapidity with which the local pathogen population can change geographically, seasonally, and by host plant. [29]
At least three other Erysiphaceae fungi can cause powdery mildew in cucurbits: The most frequent, after P. xanthii, is Erysiphe cichoracearum , the former primary causal organism throughout most of the world. [27] [28] Podosphaera fusca is another, sometimes considered synonymous with P. xanthii. [31] Cucumbers in greenhouse environments have also been reported to be susceptible to Leveillula taurica . [32]
Microsphaera syringae is a fungus that can cause powdery mildew in lilac. [33]
Podosphaera aphanis is the cause of powdery mildew in strawberries and other Rosaceae like Geum rivale (the water avens).[ citation needed ]
Sawadaea tulasnei is a fungus that causes powdery mildew on tree leaves. This fungus attacks the leaves of the Acer platanoides (Norway maple) in North America, Great Britain, and Ireland, Acer palmatum (also known as the Japanese maple or smooth Japanese maple). [34]
Erysiphe berberidis is a fungus that causes powdery mildew on Oregon grape leaves. [35]
Golovinomyces orontii causes powdery mildew on Arabidopsis (rockcress) leaves.[ citation needed ]
Caused by several fungi including Golovinomyces ambrosiae (syn. G. spadiceus ) and Podosphaera macularis . [36]
In the family Sphaeropsidaceae of the Sphaeropsidales fungi, species of the genus Cicinnobolus are hyperparasites of powdery mildew. [37]
Ampelomyces quisqualis is an anamorphic fungus that is a hyperparasite of powdery mildews. This parasitism reduces growth and may eventually kill the mildew. Research on biological control of powdery mildews (especially in high-value crops such as grapes) has been ongoing since the 1970s, resulting in the development of fungicides which contain A. quisqualis as the active ingredient. [38] [39]
Rusts are fungal plant pathogens of the order Pucciniales causing plant fungal diseases.
Qo inhibitors (QoI), or quinone outside inhibitors, are a group of fungicides used in agriculture. Some of these fungicides are among the most popular in the world. QoI are chemical compounds which act at the quinol outer binding site of the cytochrome bc1 complex.
In biological taxonomy, race is an informal rank in the taxonomic hierarchy for which various definitions exist. Sometimes it is used to denote a level below that of subspecies, while at other times it is used as a synonym for subspecies. It has been used as a higher rank than strain, with several strains making up one race. Races may be genetically distinct populations of individuals within the same species, or they may be defined in other ways, e.g. geographically, or physiologically. Genetic isolation between races is not complete, but genetic differences may have accumulated that are not (yet) sufficient to separate species.
Uncinula necator is a fungus that causes powdery mildew of grape. It is a common pathogen of Vitis species, including the wine grape, Vitis vinifera. The fungus is believed to have originated in North America. European varieties of Vitis vinifera are more or less susceptible to this fungus. Uncinula necator infects all green tissue on the grapevine, including leaves and young berries. It can cause crop loss and poor wine quality if untreated. The sexual stage of this pathogen requires free moisture to release ascospores from its cleistothecia in the spring. However, free moisture is not needed for secondary spread via conidia; high atmospheric humidity is sufficient. Its anamorph is called Oidium tuckeri.
Erysiphales are an order of ascomycete fungi. The order contains one family, Erysiphaceae. Many of them cause plant diseases called powdery mildew.
Blumeria graminis is a fungus that causes powdery mildew on grasses, including cereals. It is the only species in the genus Blumeria. It has also been called Erysiphe graminis and Oidium monilioides or Oidium tritici.
Erysiphe cruciferarum is a plant pathogen of the family Erysiphaceae, which causes the main powdery mildew of crucifers, including on Brassica crops, such as cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. E. cruciferarum is distributed worldwide, and is of particular concentration in continental Europe and the Indian subcontinent. E. cruciferarum is an ascomycete fungus that has both sexual and asexual stages. It is also an obligate parasite that appears to have host specificity; for example, isolates from turnip will not infect Brussels sprout, and vice versa. While being a part of the family Erysiphaceae, it belongs to those members in which the conidia are formed singly and whose haustoria are multilobed.
Erysiphe betae is a fungal plant pathogen. It is a form of powdery mildew that can affect crops of sugar beet, that could cause up to a 30% yield loss. The fungus occurs worldwide in all regions where sugar beet is grown and it also infects other edible crops, e.g. beetroot.
Leveillula taurica is an obligate fungal pathogen, from the phylum Ascomycota, which causes powdery mildew on onion. This disease prefers warm, dry environments. It is rare in the United States, and is currently restricted to western states. Globally, it is also a minor problem with limited occurrences in the Middle East, Europe, and South America. L. taurica causes powdery mildew of onions, but is also known to infect other allium, solanaceous, and cucurbit species. The disease has appeared in parts of the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and South and North America. Currently, it is not a cause for major concern in the U.S. and throughout the world, as its geographic extent is sparse. In addition, it is relatively easy to control through basic sanitation and reducing water stress.
Podosphaera leucotricha is a plant pathogen that can cause powdery mildew of apples and pears.
Podosphaera macularis is a plant pathogen infecting several hosts including chamomile, caneberrie, strawberries, hop, hemp and Cineraria. It causes powdery mildew of hops.
Podosphaera pannosa is a plant pathogen. It produces a powdery mildew on members of the rose family.
Erysiphe heraclei is a plant pathogen that causes powdery mildew on several species including dill, carrot and parsley.
Erysiphe cichoracearum is a fungal plant pathogen that causes powdery mildew disease of cucurbits, including melon, cucumber, pumpkin, and squash. The primary symptoms are white, powder-like spots on the leaves and stems. Sphaerotheca fuliginea causes a similar looking powdery mildew of cucurbits.
Oidium mangiferae is a plant pathogen that infects mango trees causing powdery mildew. Powdery mildew of mango is an Ascomycete pathogen of the Erysiphales family that was initially described by Berthet in 1914, using samples collected from Brazil. O. mangiferae is found in all areas where mangoes have been raised long term, but is particularly widespread in India where both the host and the pathogen are native. Currently no teleomorph stage has been identified, but due to certain morphological characteristics it has been suggested that O. mangiferae belongs in the Erysiphe polygony group. Mango is the only known host for this pathogen, though O. mangiferae appears to be identical to fungi responsible for powdery mildew diseases on various other plant species, particularly oak, though some differences may be observed. In particular, the number of cells in conidiophores varies from 2 on mango to 3-5 on oak. O. mangiferae has been known to infect oak leaves in the laboratory, however due to the lack of a known teleomorph stage O. mangiferae is still considered to only be a pathogen of mango. Recent analysis of its ribosomal DNA suggests it is conspecific with Erysiphe alphitoides, the causative agent of powdery mildew in European oaks.
Podosphaera fuliginea is a plant pathogen that causes powdery mildew on cucurbits. Podosphaera fuliginea and Erysiphe cichoracearum are the two most commonly recorded fungi causing cucurbit powdery mildew. In the past, Erysiphe cichoracearum was considered to be the primary causal organism throughout most of the world. Today, Podosphaera fuliginea is more commonly reported.
Podosphaera fusca is a fungus that parasitically infects plants. It is one cause of powdery mildew in melons and gourds.
Ampelomyces quisqualis is an anamorphic fungus that is a hyperparasite of powdery mildews. This parasitism reduces growth and may eventually kill the mildew. These mycoparasites can live up to 21 days on mildew-free host plant surfaces, attacking powdery mildew structures as soon as they appear. A. quisqualis is used as the active ingredient in a commercial fungicide.
Powdery mildew of lilac, or Erysiphe syringae is a fungal pathogen of lilacs.
Golovinomyces orontii is a species of fungus that causes powdery mildew disease and it is in the family Erysiphaceae. It is an obligate biotroph that infects plants in several families including Acanthaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Lamiaceae.