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Mildiu

Mildew: what it is, how it originates, and how to eliminate it effectively

Mildew

Bremia Lactucae

Pathogen:

Oomycete

Type:

Risk to the plant:

HIGH

Mildew: what it is, how it originates, and how to eliminate it effectively
Mildew on lettuce and similar plants | idMicrobe

Don’t know which pest or disease your plant has?

Correctly identifying the problem is key to saving the plant.

 

A plant expert analyzes the photos and sends you a clear diagnosis within 24 hours, explaining the causes and the most effective solutions step by step.

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DESCRIPTION

WHO CAUSES IT?

Bremia lactucae is a pathogenic oomycete that belongs to the mildew group. It is an obligate parasite that requires a living plant to complete its biological cycle. Its cycle begins when asexual spores, called sporangia, are released from reproductive structures on the surface of infected leaves. These spores are dispersed primarily by wind or rain, and when they land on a susceptible plant like lettuce, they germinate and produce germ tubes that penetrate the tissues through the stomata. The pathogen develops inside the plant, forming hyphae that branch within the mesophyll and produce new asexual spores on the external leaves, facilitating continued dissemination. During unfavorable conditions, *Bremia lactucae* can form oospores, resistance structures that allow its survival in soil or plant remains until conditions are favorable again.

SYMPTOMS

Downy mildew caused by Bremia lactucae is a devastating disease for crops such as lettuce, often manifesting itself in the form of chlorotic lesions on the leaves. Initially, the infection appears as small yellowish Taches that eventually become necrotic, which affects the growth and quality of the crop. Severely infected plants may experience stunted growth or even die if the infection is not controlled.
- Angular chlorotic Taches on the leaves.
- Appearance of white mold on the underside of the leaves, especially in high humidity conditions.
- Brown lesions that develop as the disease progresses.
- Wilting in young plants or those with severe infections.
- Defoliation in severe cases, which significantly reduces crop yield.

Mildew: Symptoms and damage in lettuce and similar plants
Damage caused by mildew in lettuce and similar
Mildew on Lettuce and Similar Plants: How to Recognize and Treat It Effectively

Don’t know which pest or disease your plant has?

A plant expert reviews your photos and sends you a clear diagnosis within 24 hours, with step-by-step solutions.

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TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

10-20°C

85-100%

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HOW IS IT SPREAD?

Wind, rain, infected plant debris, contaminated tools, overhead irrigation

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HOW TO REMOVE IT?

Home remedies

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

Chemical treatments

• ORANGE OIL 60g/L [ME] P/S
• AMETOCTRADIN 12% + METIRAM 44% [WG] P/P
• AMETOCTRADIN 20% [SC] P/V
• AMISULBROM 20% [SC] P/V
• AZOXISTROBIN 20% + DIFENOCONAZOLE 12.5% ​​[SC] P/V
• AZOXISTROBIN 25% [SC] P/V
• CYMOXANIL 2.85% + FOSETIL-AL 30% + COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 16% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CYMOXANILE 4% + FOLPET 25% + FOSETIL-AL 50% [WP] P/P
• CYMOXANIL 45% [WG] P/P
• CYMOXANILE 60% [WG] P/P
• FOSETIL 31% + Propamocarb 53% [SL] P/V
• FOSETIL-AL 80% [WG] P/P
• FOSETIL-AL 80% [WP] P/P
• POTASSIUM PHOSPHONATES 51% (Exp. as phosphorous acid) [SL] P/V
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 25% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 36% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• LAMINARIN 4.5% [SL] P/S
• MANDIPROPAMID 25% [SC] P/V
• MANDIPROPAMID 25% + OXATIAPIPROLIN 3% [SC] P/V
• METALAXIL 25% [WP] P/P
• METIRAM 70% [WG] P/P
• OXATIAPIPROLIN 10% [OD] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE (Exp. in Cu) 52% [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) + CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 30% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 37.5% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 38% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 52% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 70% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPROUS OXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROUS OXIDE 75% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• PROPAMOCARB 52.5% (HYDROCHLORIDE) + FLUOPICOLIDE 6.25% [SC] P/V
• PROPAMOCARB 60.5% (c. hydrochloride) [SL] P/V
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 12.4% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% [WP] P/P
• TRIBASIC COPPER SULFATE 19% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• TRIBASIC COPPER SULFATE 40% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P

Authorized treatments in organic farming

• ORANGE OIL 60g/L [ME] P/S
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 25% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 36% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• LAMINARIN 4.5% [SL] P/S
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE (Exp. in Cu) 52% [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) + CUPRIC HYDROXIDE 14% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 30% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 37.5% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 38% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 52% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 70% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPROUS OXIDE 50% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROUS OXIDE 75% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 12.4% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WP] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P
• CUPROCALCIC SULFATE 20% [WP] P/P
• TRIBASIC COPPER SULFATE 19% (EXPR. IN CU) [SC] P/V
• TRIBASIC COPPER SULFATE 40% (EXPR. IN CU) [WG] P/P

Insect allies

PREDATORY MITES

LADYBUGS

LACEWINGS

PARASITIC WASPS

HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES

PREDATORY BUGS

There are no natural allies

Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)

EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE

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Fruit Fly Traps

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Liquid Copper Fungicide

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Copper fungicide for fungal diseases and plant diseases.

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Fungus Fighter Plus | Fungicide for Plants

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Ultimate Bug Killer | Broad-Spectrum Insecticide

Ultimate Bug Killer | Broad-Spectrum Insecticide

Fast acting bug spray with up to 2 weeks protection, controls common garden pests

- Use mildew-resistant lettuce varieties, selecting those that have been specifically developed to resist *Bremia lactucae* infections.
- Practice crop rotation, avoiding planting lettuce in the same place consecutively, to reduce the presence of oospores in the soil.
- Implement biological control measures that involve the use of natural antagonists that limit the proliferation of the pathogen.
- Keep the foliage dry, avoiding overhead irrigation and favoring drip irrigation to reduce humidity on the surface of the leaves.
- Apply specific fungicides according to technical recommendations for mildew control, alternating products with different modes of action to avoid the development of resistance.
- Remove and destroy the remains of infected crops immediately after harvest to reduce the reservoir of spores in the environment.
- Constantly monitor weather conditions and the state of the crop to apply preventive treatments at key moments.
- Control humidity inside the greenhouses, ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent condensation and reduce favorable conditions for the development of mildew.

Recommendations

Consulting on plant problems and diseases
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