Pseudoperonospora cubensis, the causal agent of cucurbit downy mildew (CDM), was confirmed on butternut squash in Lenoir on July 26 of 2021. The sample was part of a sentinel plot maintained by the NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab. The plot showed 10% disease incidence and leaves showed 2% disease severity.
Figure 1: Circular, yellow lesions on topside of the leaves that are bound by leaf veins (Mariana Prieto, NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab).
Figure 2: Pseudoperonospora cubensis clade 1 sporangia under a dissecting microscope (Dr. Savithri Purayannur, NC State Vegetable Pathology Lab)
