Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported in multiple locations in Michigan. Michigan cucurbit growers are warned to detect and disk under plants infected with Phytophthora.
MSU Extension
The Michigan State University Vegetable Pathology Lab reports cucurbit disease outbreaks and control measures for these pathogens. County Extension Agents from across the state of Michigan publish bi-weekly crop updates including disease incidents and control measures throughout the growing season.
Michigan Cucurbit update | August 9, 2023
Good yields of yellow and green processing zucchini were being harvested in west central Michigan.
Watermelon harvest continues in the state.
Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in eight counties to date.
Clade-2 Downy mildew spores were captured in Michigan.
Michigan Cucurbit update | August 2, 2023
Strategies to control Phytophthora fruit rot and Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in Michigan
Michigan Cucurbit update | July 26, 2023
Reports of virus symptoms in squash were received this week. Cucurbit downy mildew disease on pickling cucumber plants in a commercial production field were verified by the MSU vegetable pathology lab. Look for weekly spore trap updates and current downy mildew news on the Hausbeck Lab Downy Mildew News website.
Michigan Cucurbit update | July 5, 2023
Hard squash and pumpkin planting is wrapping up. Summer squash and cucumbers are being harvested. Some pollination issues were observed in zucchini and summer squash in southwest Michigan last week.
Stay on the lookout for cucurbit downy mildew. Consider starting protectant fungicides on cucumbers, pickles and melons. It was detected on cucumbers in Kent County, Ontario, on July 4, 2023.
Striped cucumber beetle pressure has been extreme in some cucurbit plantings.
Phytophthora capsici in irrigation water
CucCAP vegetable pathologist Dr. Mary Hausbeck discusses how Phytophthora capsici can be introduced to crops when irrigating vegetables with surface water during dry conditions.
Michigan Cucurbit update | June 21, 2023
Clade 2 downy mildew infects cucumbers and melons and spores from this subtype were trapped in Bay, Allegan and Saginaw counties last week.
Michigan cucurbit update | June 7, 2023
Cucurbit planting continues across lower Michigan. Pumpkins and hard squash plantings are starting up this week for fall markets. Early cucumber plantings are at first flower this week, and some farms may be harvesting zucchini soon. The early summer squash plants in southwest Michigan jumped with the heat last week.
