Downy Mildew and Garden Diseases On the Rise
Downy mildews caused by different water molds are thriving at this time and damaging crops. If you see cucumber or butternut squash leaves quickly turning into a yellow, angular shape from the top, you may suspect a downy mildew caused by one of these pathogens belonging to water molds.
Cucumber Downy Mildew Confirmed in Southern Virginia
Cucurbit Downy Mildew (CDM) caused by the water mold, also known as oomycetous organism Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is a devastating foliar disease of cucurbits which may wipeout crops in a short window span if humid and wet weather prevails for a long time. The disease was confirmed on cucumber plants that were grown on Sentinel plots located at Randolph Farm in Southern Chesterfield County, Virginia.