Disease · Courgette, melon, strawberry, artichoke
Powdery mildew: where it starts in your field
Podosphaera xanthii, formerly P. fusca (cucurbits), Podosphaera aphanis (strawberry), Leveillula taurica (artichoke)
The white powder does not appear on every plant at once. We fly low and tell you which areas have symptoms, so you can reinforce the treatment where it is needed.
We have not flown this problem ourselves yet. We work it out with you, on your field.
The problem
A white powder that wears the leaf out
Powdery mildew is a fungus that covers the leaf with a fine white powder. It likes mild or warm weather with a humid atmosphere, dewy nights and little ventilation, even without rain. An infected leaf works less, turns yellow and, in strawberry or melon, the fruit can be of poorer quality.
It starts in patches. On foot it is hard to see in time, because the powder is fine and shows better up close. From the drone, once leaves are affected, you can sometimes make out a paler area; it is always confirmed at plant level.
How it works
A low flight when the heat arrives
1
We fly low
Once the plant covers the ground, in warm weather without rain, when the first spots appear.
2
We send you the map
The areas with symptoms, with their position.
3
You reinforce there
You treat those areas first and, on the next flight, see whether it has stopped.
Where it shows up
Where it shows up
- Courgette, melon and cucumber
- Strawberry
- Artichoke
On artichoke and pepper it is caused by another fungus, which leaves yellow spots on top and the powder underneath the leaf. It also appears on grapevine and fruit trees, each with its own fungus.
What farmers ask us
Powdery mildew: your field questions
Can you see such a fine powder from the drone?
The powder itself, hardly. What you see is the affected area, paler than the rest. That is why we fly low and confirm on the ground afterwards.
I already spray sulphur (sulfur) as a routine. Is the map still useful?
The map does not change your routine. It tells you whether there are areas where it is not enough and you should keep at it.
Which fungicide should I use?
It depends on the crop, and what is authorised changes from year to year. Before you spray, check in your country’s official pesticide register that the product is approved for your crop (in the UK, the HSE register of authorised products; in the US, the label registered with the EPA and your state), or ask us. We do not recommend products.
Know someone this would help?
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