DOWNY AND POWDERY MILDEW MANAGEMENT FOR WINTER SQUASH

Abstract

Control of downy (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) and powdery mildew [(Podosphoera xanthii (Sphaerotheca fuliginea)] on `Sweet Dumpling' winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) was evaluated at the University of Florida, IFAS, Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce, Florida during Spring 2004. Seven foliar spray fungicide treatments were evaluated against an untreated control. Powdery and downy mildew ratings (estimated percentage of foliage damage) and marketable yields (mt/ha) were measured. Plants in the untreated plots had significantly higher powdery and downy mildew ratings. All fungicide treatments reduced powdery mildew on adaxial leaf surfaces. Downy mildew appeared unusually late in the crop season and all fungicide treatments significantly reduced it. There were no significant differences among treatments for marketable yield. Although the level of disease occurrence was not sufficient to reduce yields, each foliar spray treatment significantly reduced powdery and downy mildew.