​​​​​​Cucurbit Downy Mildew Management for Conventional and Organic Producers

June 2020 | 28 min., 43 sec.
by Emily Pfeufer
University of Kentucky
https://doi.org/10.1094/GROW-CUC-06-20-004

Summary

​Effective cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) management relies on integration of cultural production techniques and utilization of CDM-specific fungicides, customized to individual farms. This presentation outlines how consultants, Extension educators, cucurbit producers, and others can successfully combine these methods to minimize the impact of CDM on their crops. Cultural production tactics are discussed, such as crop timing, resistant cultivars, and site selection. General plans for fungicide programs are included, with CDM-specific products and the influence of pathogen resistance to fungicides outlined. Region-specific recommendations are balanced with economic considerations, so producers can most effectively customize cucurbit production to their individual farm needs.

About the Presenter

Emily Pfeufer​ Emily Pfeufer is an Extension plant pathologist and assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Kentucky and has served in this position since 2015. She completed her PhD (2014) and MS (2010) in plant pathology at Penn State and her BS in biology (2008) at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. Her Cooperative Extension program at the University of Kentucky focuses on integrated disease management of vegetables, tobacco, and herbs and serves producers across the spectrum of farm size. Her concomitant research program contributes information on emerging plant pathogens, pathogen resistance to crop protectants and its influence on population dynamics, and evaluation of biological disease management options. Dr. Pfeufer has been actively involved in the Cucurbit Downy Mildew ipmPIPE since 2015 and has two projects focused on the disease, which synthesize input from Extension agents, commercial producers, master gardeners, and homeowners to monitor for CDM and compare CDM fungicide efficacy levels.​

Contact Information:
Email: emilypfeufer@uky.edu

​Webcast Sponsor

​​​​Grant Funding

This webcast was supported by funds provided by a USDA-AMS Specialty Crop Multi-State Program grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (no. 44187029).​
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