Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a plant disease caused by fungi in the order Erysiphales, marked by pale, powder-like growth on leaves and other plant surfaces.
Erysiphales: Erysiphales is an order of fungi that includes the powdery mildew pathogens. Powdery mildew fungi belong to this order, whose members share a specialized plant-parasitic lifestyle.
Plant disease diagnosis: Plant disease diagnosis identifies a plant disorder by examining symptoms, signs, and causal agents. The white surface growth distinguishes powdery mildew from many leaf spots, but microscopy can confirm the pathogen.
Downy mildew: Downy mildew is a plant disease caused by oomycetes, often producing growth on leaf undersides and angular leaf lesions. Unlike powdery mildew fungi, downy mildew pathogens are oomycetes and commonly thrive in wet conditions.
Crop yield: Crop yield is the quantity of harvested agricultural produce per unit of land or production input. Severe infections can reduce photosynthesis, impair growth, and lower harvest quantity or quality.
Obligate biotroph: An obligate biotroph is a parasite that depends on living host tissue to obtain nutrients. Most powdery mildew fungi require living plant cells and cannot be grown on ordinary artificial media.
Integrated pest management: Integrated pest management combines monitoring, prevention, biological controls, and targeted pesticides to manage pests. Powdery mildew control often combines resistant cultivars, canopy management, monitoring, and carefully chosen treatments.
Botrytis cinerea: Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungus that causes gray mold on many plants. Its gray, decaying growth and tissue damage differ from the powdery surface colonies typical of powdery mildew.
Erysiphaceae: Erysiphaceae is the principal family of fungi responsible for powdery mildew diseases. Its many host-associated species cause disease across crops, ornamentals, and wild plants.
Haustorium: A haustorium is a specialized fungal structure that penetrates a host cell and absorbs nutrients. Powdery mildew hyphae form haustoria inside epidermal cells while most fungal growth remains on the surface.
Sulfur fungicide: Sulfur fungicides are sulfur-based products used to suppress fungal diseases on plants. Sulfur is a long-used treatment for powdery mildew, though heat and crop sensitivity can limit its use.