Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 7/19/22

Cucumber downy mildew (CDM) has been confirmed on cucumber plant samples from a commercial grower in Haywood County, NC. Leaves showed symptoms typical of CDM: angular, chlorotic or yellow lesions on the upper surface of the leaves with gray to black spores on the underside of the leaf.

Growers in western NC are advised to implement management strategies. Effective fungicides can be found in the Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook. More information can be found on the cucurbit downy mildew disease fact sheet.

This pathogen can rapidly become resistant to fungicides so, it is important to rotate fungicide groups and use tank mixes with protectants to minimize the risk of fungicide resistance. Cucumbers and cantaloupes are generally more susceptible to the disease than squash, watermelon, and pumpkin.

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