Grape downy mildew powdery mildew difference identification spray rotation angoor Nashik
3 Answers
Downy mildew and powdery mildew are different diseases that need different timing and chemistry, so identify them correctly first. Downy mildew thrives in wet humid conditions and shows oily yellow patches on the upper leaf with a white downy growth on the underside, spreading fast after rain or heavy dew. Powdery mildew prefers warm dry conditions with high humidity and shows a white powdery coating on leaves, shoots, and berries, scarring the fruit. Manage both with an open well-pruned canopy, good air movement, and a planned fungicide programme that rotates modes of action to prevent resistance, while strictly following label rates and the residue limits that matter for export grapes. For the current spray schedule and approved products, follow your grape research station advisory and KVK.
Telling the two apart early saved us money. Downy hits after the wet spells and powdery in the warmer dry stretch, so we adjust the programme to the weather.
The quick check we use: turn the leaf over, if there is white downy growth on the underside under an oily patch it is downy mildew, but if the white powder is on top and rubs off it is powdery. They look similar to a new grower but the spray for one does not control the other. Getting this right the first time stops you wasting a spray on the wrong disease.