Downy Mildew (Grape)
Plasmopara viticola
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameDowny Mildew (Grape)
DescriptionDowny mildew causes yellowish 'oilspots' on grape leaves and a fuzzy white growth underneath. Identify these lesions early to prevent premature leaf drop and fruit rot.
TypeOomycete
FamilyPeronosporaceae
GenusPlasmopara
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumOomycota
ClassPeronosporea
OrderPeronosporales
Features
- A devastating disease of grapevines worldwide caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola. It is highly dependent on wet weather
- Initial symptoms on leaves appear as shiny, yellowish, translucent spots on the upper surface, often called 'oilspots'
- In humid conditions, a dense, white, downy or fuzzy growth appears on the corresponding underside of the oilspots
- The disease can infect all green parts of the vine, including young shoots, flower clusters, and developing berries
- Infected flower clusters and young berries turn brown, wither, and die. Mature berries become leathery and take on a dull red or brown color
- Severe leaf infection leads to premature defoliation, which reduces the vine's sugar production and winter hardiness
- The pathogen overwinters as oospores in fallen leaves on the vineyard floor. Rain splashes these spores onto the lower canopy in spring
- Unlike powdery mildew, downy mildew requires liquid water (rain or heavy dew) on the plant surface to infect
- Prevent by ensuring good air circulation through proper pruning, leaf pulling, and avoiding low-lying, wet vineyard sites
- Control using copper-based fungicides (like Bordeaux mixture) or systemic oomycete-specific fungicides during the growing season
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificPlasmopara viticola
English (Alternate)Grapevine downy mildew
Hindiअंगूर का डाउनी मिल्ड्यू (Angur ka downy mildew)
Tamilதிராட்சை டவுனி மில்டியூ (Thiratchai downy mildew)
Teluguద్రాక్ష డౌనీ మిల్డ్యూ (Draksha downy mildew)
Malayalamമുന്തിരിയിലെ ഡൗണി മിൽഡ്യൂ (Muntiriyile ḍaūṇi mīlḍyū)
Kannadaದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಿ ಡೌನಿ ಮಿಲ್ಡೂ ರೋಗ (Drākṣi ḍauni milḍū rōga)
Sanskritमृदु-रोमिल-फफूँद (Mṛdu-romila-phaphūmda)
Bengaliআঙ্গুর এর ডাউনি মিলডিউ (Angur er downy mildew)
Frenchmildiou de la vigne
Russianмилдью винограда (mild'yu vinograda)
Spanishmildiú de la vid
GermanFalscher Mehltau der Weinrebe
