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idMicrobe: Tool to recognize plant diseases and consult home treatments

The Guide to Caring for Your Plants

Learn to recognize pests and how to combat them

Powdery mildew on fruit: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Powdery mildew

Podosphaera sp., Erysiphe sp.

Pathogen:

Type:

Fungus

Risk:

HIGH

Powdery mildew on fruit: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Frutos

Oídio

Powdery mildew: Symptoms, damage and solutions in fruit
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WHO CAUSES IT?

Podosphaera sp. and Erysiphe sp. are phytopathogenic fungi belonging to the powdery mildew group, specialized in developing primarily on the surface of plant tissues. They are biotrophic organisms, meaning they require living tissue to obtain the nutrients they need and, in general, do not need to penetrate deeply into the tissues to develop. The hyphae grow on the plant surface and form specialized structures called appressoria, through which they establish contact with cells and develop haustoria that penetrate them to extract nutrients. Under favorable conditions, the fungus produces abundant mycelium and reproductive structures on the affected surface, responsible for the characteristic whitish, powdery appearance. Asexual reproduction is of great epidemiological importance, as numerous conidia are produced that detach easily and are transported by air currents to new tissues. These conidia can germinate rapidly when they encounter suitable temperature and humidity conditions, creating new points of infection. As colonies develop, new reproductive structures form, allowing for successive generations of the pathogen during the same favorable period. Furthermore, certain species can produce survival sexual structures, such as cleistothecia or chasmothecia, which contain ascospores and enable the fungus to survive during unfavorable periods. These structures can remain on plant debris or infected tissues and subsequently release spores capable of initiating new infections. The high production of conidia, their ease of airborne dispersal, and their ability to establish new colonies quickly allow these pathogens to spread rapidly when environmental conditions are favorable.

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SYMPTOMS

Powdery mildew causes a disease easily recognizable by the formation of a whitish, powdery, mealy coating on the surface of the fruit. The infection can begin with small, isolated colonies that subsequently increase in size and can eventually cover a significant portion of the surface. As the disease progresses, the affected tissues may exhibit developmental alterations, loss of commercial quality, and surface damage that contributes to fruit deterioration. In severe infestations, the infection can cause deformities, reduced growth, and uneven ripening, as well as considerably decreasing the commercial value of the harvest. In certain fruits, colonization during the early stages of development can cause permanent damage to the epidermis, while later infections may manifest primarily as whitish coatings and surface lesions.

• Appearance of whitish, powdery spots or colonies on the surface of the fruit.

• Formation of white or grayish mycelium that can progressively spread across the epidermis.

• Abundant presence of white powder due to spore production on affected tissues.

• Development of discolored, yellowish, or brownish areas around colonized zones.

• Fruit deformation or irregular growth when infection occurs during early stages of development.

• Formation of surface lesions, russeting, cracks, or epidermal alterations in certain crops and under certain conditions.

• Reduction in the visual and commercial quality of the fruit.

• Uneven ripening and reduced normal development when the infection is severe.

• Necrosis and tissue deterioration in severe infestations or when lesions persist for extended periods.

• Appearance of new colonies on nearby fruit due to the airborne dispersal of conidia.

Damage caused by powdery mildew on fruit
Powdery mildew on fruit: How to recognize and effectively treat it
Fruit affected by powdery mildew with spots and presence of white powder
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TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

15-28 °C

60-90 %

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TRANSMISSION PATHS

Air, Conidia, Spores, Contact with infected tissues, Infected plant debris, Infected plant material

Do you want to remove this disease? Choose how you want to treat it.

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TREATMENTS

Chemical treatment

• ORANGE OIL 6% [SL] P/V
• ORANGE OIL 60g/L [ME] P/S
• AZOXISTROBIN 25% [SC] P/V
• SULFUR 80% [SC] P/V
• SULFUR 80% [WG] P/P
• SULFUR 80% [WP] P/P
• CIFLUFENAMID 10% [SC] P/V
• POTASSIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE 85% [SP] P/P
• METRAPHENONE 50% [SC] P/V
• TETRACONAZOLE 10% [EC] P/V
• TETRACONAZOLE 12.5% ​​[ME] P/V
• TETRACONAZOLE 4% [ME] P/V

Authorized treatments in organic farming

• Orange Oil 6% [SL] w/v
• Orange Oil 60g/L [ME] w/v
• Sulfur 80% [SC] w/v
• Sulfur 80% [WG] w/w
• Sulfur 80% [WP] w/w
• Potassium Bicarbonate 85% [SP] w/w

Biological control

• Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808 (1x10E9 CFU/g) 14.35g/L [SC] P/V
• PYTHIUM OLIGANDRUM (strain M1) 17.5% [WP] P/P

Recommendations

• Maintain good ventilation in the crop to reduce the duration of favorable conditions around the fruit.

• Avoid excessive plant density and carry out pruning or other necessary interventions to improve air circulation.

• Avoid excessive shading, especially in crops with very dense vegetation.

• Frequently monitor the fruit to detect the first whitish colonies before the disease spreads.

• Remove and dispose of severely affected tissues and fruit, when feasible, to reduce the amount of available inoculum.

• Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, as excessively tender vegetative growth can favor the establishment and development of powdery mildew.

• Maintain balanced plant nutrition, avoiding imbalances that increase tissue susceptibility.

• Use varieties or cultivars with tolerance or resistance to powdery mildew when available.

• Avoid creating excessively favorable microclimates through improper vegetation management.

• Apply preventative treatments to crops and during historically favorable periods when there is a high risk of infection.

• Begin phytosanitary control at the first sign of infection and do not wait for colonies to cover a large area.

• Alternate active ingredients belonging to different action groups to reduce selection pressure on the pathogen.

• Do not make repeated applications of products with the same mechanism of action when effective alternatives exist.

• Respect the doses, intervals, and application conditions indicated on the label of each authorized product.

• Combine, when permitted and technically appropriate, fungicides with different modes of action with multi-site products.

• Avoid unnecessary treatments when there is no real risk of infection, thus reducing the pathogen's exposure to fungicides.

• Alternate chemical applications with cultural practices and other available control tools.

• Remove infected plant debris when it could constitute a source of inoculum for the next crop.

• Control weeds that may act as a reservoir for the pathogen when they are susceptible and located near the crop.

• Pay special attention to periods with moderate temperatures and environmental conditions favorable for the production and dispersal of conidia.

• Periodically review the effectiveness of applied treatments and detect any loss of susceptibility in the pathogen.

• Integrate preventive, cultural, varietal, and phytosanitary measures into an integrated pest management strategy instead of relying exclusively on fungicides.

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Insect Barrier/Repellent

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For outdoor and indoor use. Pet friendly

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100% organic diatomaceous earth

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Natural insecticide against insects

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Ideal for ornamentals, flowers and shrubs.

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Attracts and traps tomato moths

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Effective against all types of fungi

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*The recommended treatments are still recommendations according to the databases of the authorities and at no time do they replace the guidelines established according to the legislation of each country

*The products shown are recommendations and are not our own products. As Amazon Associates, we earn revenue from purchases of recommended products.

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TREATMENTS

Homemade treatments

BONE MEAL OR GROUND FISH SHELLS

RUSTY NAILS OR IRON SHAVINGS

BANANA PEELS

EPSOM SALTS (MAGNESIUM SULFATE)

SOLUTION WITH HOUSEHOLD BORAX

GROUND OR BOILED EGGSHELLS

COMPOST WITH ONION OR GARLIC SCRAPS

VEGETABLE COOKING WATER

WOOD ASH

WATER WITH VINEGAR OR LEMON (VERY DILUTED)

GARLIC INFUSION

USED COFFEE OR TEA

BANANA AND EGGSHELL INFUSION

POTATO OR LEGUME COOKING WATER

COMPOST FROM FRESH GREEN LEAVES

COMPOST OR WELL-AGED MANURE

DILUTED MILK (1:10)

BANANA TEA

LEAF COMPOST

NETTLE SLURRY

POTASSIUM SOAP AND NEEM OIL SOLUTION

POTASSIUM SOAP SOLUTION + NEEM OIL + DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

BAKING SODA AND NEUTRAL SOAP SOLUTION

GARLIC INFUSION WITH NEUTRAL SOAP

CHROMATIC OR ADHESIVE TRAPS

DILUTED MILK

HORSETAIL INFUSION

TRUNK WHITEWASHING

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

WOOD ASH

NETTLE SLURRY

CUT THE AFFECTED BRANCHES AND APPLY CINNAMON

GARLIC AND CINNAMON INFUSION

INFUSION OF WORMWOOD, CHILI OR CHILLI

CLEAN THE AFFECTED AREA AND APPLY ASH PASTE WITH GARLIC OR CINNAMON

GARLIC AND MINT INFUSION

LIGHT TRAPS

APPLY CINNAMON POWDER

PITFALL TRAPS

CRUSHED EGG SHELLS

CLEAN AND SEAL THE WOUND WITH CLAY, CINNAMON AND GARLIC PASTE

GARLIC INFUSION

MATURE COMPOST

TRAPS WITH VINEGAR AND SOAP

SEAL HOLES WITH ASH PASTE AND CRUSHED GARLIC

VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA SOLUTION

ANT TRAP

TAPE TRAP

PHEROMONE TRAP

ALCOHOL TRAPS

FUNNEL TRAP

There are no home treatments

Natural allies

PREDATORY MITES

LADYBUGS

LACEWINGS

PARASITIC WASPS

HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES

PREDATORY BUGS

There are no natural allies

Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)

Chemical treatments

AGRICULTURAL SULFUR (POWDER OR SOLUBLE)

POTASSIUM FERTILIZERS

MAGNESIUM FERTILIZERS

BORON FERTILIZERS

CALCIUM FERTILIZERS

NITROGEN FERTILIZERS

PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZERS

IRON FERTILIZERS

SULFUR FERTILIZERS

NPK FERTILIZERS

There are no treatments for this disease. Treatments are directed at the insect vectors that transmit it. See insect treatments.

ABAMECTIN 0.0015% + PYRETHRINS 0.02%

RAPESEAL OIL

RAPESEAL OIL + PYRETHRINS

ORANGE OIL 6%

PARAFFIN OIL

ACETAMIPRID

ACETAMIPRID 0.005%

ACETAMIPRID 20%

SULFUR

COPPER 20%

COPPER 25%

COPPER 35%

COPPER 38%

COPPER 50%

COPPER 52%

DELTAMETHRIN 1.57%

DELTAMETHRIN 10%

DELTAMETHRIN 2.5%

DIFENOCONAZOLE 1.67%

ESFENVALERATE 2.5%

ESFENVALERATE 5%

100% GARLIC EXTRACT

PHENHEXAMIDE 50%

FLUPYRADIFURONE

FLUPIRADIFURONE 20%

FOSETIL-AL 80%

FERRIC PHOSPHATE

ALUMINUM PHOSPHIDE 56%

PHOSTIAZATE 10%

PHOSTIAZATE 15%

HEXITIAZOX 10%

POTASSIUM HYDROGEN CARBONATE

LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN

LAMINARIN 4.5%

METALDEHYDE

PIRACLOSTROBIN 6.7% + BOSCALIDE 26.7%

PYRETHRINS

PYRIPROXIFEN 10%

POTASSIUM SALTS OF UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

SPINOSAD 0.024%

SPINOSAD 12%

SPINOSAD 48%

TAU-FLUVALINATE 24%

TETRACONAZOLE 10%

TETRACONAZOLE 12.5%

TETRACONAZOLE 4%

TRICHODERMA ASPERELLUM (STRAIN T34)

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RECOMMENDATIONS

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REPELLENT PLANTS

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS PEST

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Eco-friendly. Respectful of animals, the environment, and people.

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Non-Toxic. Reusable. For indoor and outside

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Non-Toxic. Reusable. For indoor and outside

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Granulated bait, attractive, safe and fast.

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Granulated bait, attractive, safe and fast.

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Sponsored link

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For orchards, terraces and flower pots.

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For orchards, terraces and flower pots.

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100% organic. For indoor and outdoor use

Sponsored link

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Lime for whitewashing

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For outdoor and indoor use. Pet friendly

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For outdoor and indoor use. Pet friendly

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100% Natural. Soil Restorative

Sponsored link

Your products closer to your customers

Your product

Your products closer to your customers

Sponsored link

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Natural insecticide against insects

100% organic diatomaceous earth

Natural insecticide against insects

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Ideal for ornamentals, flowers and shrubs.

Beetle traps

Ideal for ornamentals, flowers and shrubs.

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Trap for Tuta absoluta

Attracts and traps tomato moths

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Ideal for orchards, gardens and pots.

Snail and slug traps

Ideal for orchards, gardens and pots.

Sponsored link

Effective against all types of fungi

Copper-based fungicide - Curative and preventive

Effective against all types of fungi

Sponsored link

*The recommended treatments are still recommendations according to the databases of the authorities and at no time do they replace the guidelines established according to the legislation of each country

*The products shown are recommendations and are not our own products. As Amazon Associates, we earn revenue from purchases of recommended products.

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OTHER PESTS

Fruit with symptoms of calcium deficiency and developmental abnormalities

Calcium deficiency or blossom-end rot

Fruit affected by water stress with symptoms of dehydration and cracking

Water stress

Fruit affected by weevils with holes and surface damage

Weevils

Fruit affected by waterlogging with soft areas and rot

Watery fruits

Fruit affected by bacterial disease with spots and lesions on the surface

Bacterial infection

Fruit affected by fungi with spots, rot and mold

Mycosis

Fruit with symptoms of boron deficiency and developmental deformities

Boron Deficiency

Fruit with sunburn and areas damaged by excessive sun exposure

Excessive sun

Fruit damaged by snails and slugs with bites and eroded areas

Snails and/or slugs

Fruit affected by powdery mildew with spots and presence of white powder

Powdery mildew

Fruit affected by downy mildew with spots and damaged areas

Mildew

Fruit affected by Alternaria with dark spots and areas of rot

Alternaria

Fruit with symptoms of potassium deficiency and ripening disorders

Potassium Deficiency

Fruit affected by monilia with brown spots and rot

Moniliosis or brown rot

Fruit affected by Botrytis with rot and gray mold

Botrytis or gray mold

Fruit affected by bed bugs with bites and spots on the surface

Bed bugs

Fruit damaged by beetles with holes and bites on the surface

Beetles

Fruit affected by anthracnose with dark spots and sunken lesions

Anthracnose

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