TECHNICAL DOCUMENT ON POWDERY MILDEW OF CUCURBITS

Cucurbits are one of the most valuable vegetable crops worldwide, and a large number of annual species are under cultivation. Plant pathogens challenge our efforts to maximize crop production. More than 200 known pathogens are infecting various cucurbits. Fungi, bacteria and other pathogens attack different parts of cucurbitaceous plants, causing diseases that reduce the plant's growth rate. Fungal diseases are well known as major limiting factors for plant growth and crop yield, with special regard powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii and Erysiphe cichoracearum). These two species, having a high evolutionary potential, could be considered as main “risky” pathogens. Disease development reaches annually epidemic proportions resulting reduction both in yield and quality of crops. In this technical document, we are dealing with cucurbits powdery mildew: symptoms and signs, epidemiology, disease cycle, ecology and disease management.