downy mildew

[ dou-nee mil-doo, -dyoo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Also called false mildew. any fungus of the family Peronosporaceae, causing many plant diseases and producing a white, downy mass of conidiophores, usually on the under surface of the leaves of the host plant.
Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by mildewed, distorted, and yellowed foliage, caused by any of several fungi of the family Peronosporaceae, as of the genera Peronospora and Phytophthora.

downy mildew

a serious plant disease, characterized by yellowish patches on the undersurface of the leaves, caused by the parasitic fungi of the family Peronosporaceae, such as Peronospora destructor: affects onions, cauliflower, lettuce, etc
any of the fungi causing this disease

downy mildew

/ dou′nē /

A disease of plants caused by oomycete organisms of the order Peronosporales and characterized by gray, velvety patches of spores on the lower surfaces of leaves. Downy mildew of the grapevine nearly destroyed the French wine industry in the 1870s, spurring the development of the first chemical pesticides used on plants.

First recorded in 1885–90

How does downy mildew compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Downy mildew spreads and does most damage in hot wet weather.

Spraying with bordeaux mixture as indicated for black-rot will keep downy mildew in check.

Practice clean cultivation from the very beginning in order to help control black rot and downy mildew.

The berries, however, do not become soft and shrunken as when attacked by the downy-mildew.

The two leaf troubles are respectively known as blight or downy mildew and the Macrosporium disease.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse