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Look for Early Symptoms and Signs of Plant Diseases

Wed, Feb 26th, 2020, created by Jean Williams-Woodward

Current weather patterns of cloudy, overcast days can lead to an increase in disease problems such as Botrytis blight, Pythium root rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew. Scout plants for early symptoms and signs of the pathogens. Quick action is needed to reduce crop losses. See these e-GRO Alerts for more information on Botrytis blight (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2019_810.pdf), Pythium root rot in propagation (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2019_804.pdf), powdery mildew (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/EGRO_3_10.pdf), and downy mildew on coleus (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2016_514.pdf) and on rose (http://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2017_719.pdf). 

Always remember to follow good sanitation practices to minimize pathogen survival and disease spread within greenhouses. When using fungicides, the best control is achieved when applying products preventively. Applying products after symptoms are present will not effectively manage plant diseases. 




About the Author:

Jean Williams-Woodward

Associate Professor, University of Georgia

Jean is an Associate Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist at the University of Georgia. Jean provides statewide plant disease diagnosis and management recommendations for ornamental plants in greenhouses, nurseries, and landscapes. She also teaches courses in plant disease diagnosis and ornamental pest management. She brings over 27 years of experience in working with ornamental plant producers and extension outreach providing education programs and on-site plant problem diagnostics.

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