Downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis is the most destructive foliar disease affecting cucurbit crops. Genomic studies by Dr. Lina Quesada-Ocampo and colleagues at North Carolina State University showed that different isolates preferentially infect different cucurbit crops. From this information, a multiplex PCR-based assay was combined with spore trapping to identify which crops are most at risk. These results can facilitate timely and crop-specific fungicide application prior to appearance of symptoms in sentinel plots.
For further reading:
- Clade-Specific Biosurveillance of Pseudoperonospora cubensis Using Spore Traps for Precision Disease Management of Cucurbit Downy Mildew
by A. Rahman, J. R. Standish, K. N. D’Arcangelo, and L. M. Quesada-Ocampo
Published Online by The American Phytopathological Society on Jan 16, 2021
DOI: 10.1094/PHYTO-06-20-0231-R
