Cause:
Powdery mildew is caused by a fungus, Podosphaera macularis (formerly S. humuli), which may persist either as bud infections or as chasmothecia (formerly cleistothecia, sexually-produced overwintering structures). Bud infections are the only confirmed overwintering inoculum source in the Pacific Northwest. Although the fungus also is found on strawberry and caneberries, races that attack hop are limited to hop and are not known to infect any other plant species.
Once a yard is infected with powdery mildew, the disease usually reoccurs the following season. Spore movement within the field is the greatest threat for disease spread but some spread will occur between fields.
Symptoms:
In the spring time, new shoots can be covered with the powdery mildew fungus and the entire shoot may appear white. These "flagshoots" produce conidia which initiate secondary infections. Secondary infections on susceptible leaves appear as whitish, powdery spots on either the upper or lower leaf surface. Entire leaf surfaces can be covered with powdery mildew. Depending on the hop variety and leaf age, initially a small blister may form before observation of the fungus. The fungus becomes visible as conidia (spores) are produced, around 5 to 10 days after infection.
Younger leaves are most susceptible, as the leaf matures it is more difficult for infection to occur. Studies have shown that on actively-growing shoots, about 5 leaves back from the tip are the most susceptible tissues. Powdery mildew growth occurs over a wide range of temperatures, between at least 54 and 85°F. Colonies can tolerant temperatures more extreme, especially during high humidity, resuming growth and sporulation when conditions warm/cool. The exact environmental conditions are not well-characterized.
Flowers and cones may be infected in susceptible varieties. If a variety is susceptible, cones appear to be susceptible to infection throughout most of their development. Generally, growth stops in the infected area. Infected cones are stunted, malformed, and mature rapidly, leading to cone shatter and uneven crop maturity. Infections at the burr stage can lead to flower abortion. Powdery mildew usually is visible on infected cones but sometimes can be found "hiding" under overlapping bracts. Infected areas on cones become red to blackish if chasmothecia are produced. Chasmothecia on hop in the Pacific Northwest have not been confirmed.
Hop cones affected by powdery mildew. Cone development is stunted, and malformations may be evident.
Note the white, circular colonies.
A new shoot covered with powdery mildew.
Flag shoots, such as the one above, are typical in the spring. The white colonies can be difficult to detect.
Conidia of the powdery mildew fungus are borne in chains.
Cultural
control: These management strategies aim to reduce overwintering and build-up of early-season disease inoculum. Idle yards should not go untreated! Spores can move between fields so timing of management is important.
Early-season:
Reduce or eliminate infected buds and flag shoots by crowning, harrowing, burning, etc. Treating before shoots emerge will reduce early season spread within a field.
Completely removing green tissue during preparation for training will reduce spore load and subsequent secondary spread.
Maintain adequate nitrogen levels but do not over-apply as more succulent tissue is more susceptible.
Scout yards for flag shoots or other signs of powdery mildew.
Mid-season:
Control bottom growth after training, mechanically or with burn-back herbicides, etc., in order to reduce active colonies.
Strip lower leaves up to about 4 ft in order to break the "green bridge" that facilitates powdery mildew vertical climb upward in the canopy.
Maintain adequate nitrogen levels but do not over-apply as more succulent tissue is more susceptible.
Rogue out off-types in fields of resistant cultivars.
Scout yards for powdery mildew infections.
Early harvest can reduce powdery mildew losses in fields with high disease pressure, but reductions in yield and alpha acid may occur if hops are harvested too early.
Post-harvest:
Remove seedlings from around harvesting shed and hop dryer.
Remove pole plants.
Eliminate feral hops.
Control shoot regrowth (mow, dessicate, flail, flame) or protect regrowth against infection.
Replace highly susceptible cultivars.
Chemical
control: Thorough spray coverage is essential for protecting hop plants, spray every row. Protective fungicides should be applied before disease is active and reproducing. Chemical and cultural controls can help to keep disease levels low, both in terms of low disease incidence/severity as well as vertical position within the canopy.
Discuss your chemical options with your hop buyer as some restrictions may exist for applications during cone development.
Accrue at 18 fl oz/A in 50 to 200 gal water. Do not make more than two (2) applications per year and if two applications are made they must be at least 28 days apart. Do not apply within 28 days of harvest. 7-day reentry.
Bicarbonates are registered for control of powdery mildew. Since they are a contact fungicide, coverage is essential.
Armicarb "O" at 2.5 to 5 lb/A in 100 to 200 gal water on 7-day intervals. Do not exceed 5 lb/A. Coverage is essential. Washington and Idaho only. 4-hr reentry.
Kaligreen at 2.5 to 5 lb/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Might be used to supplement a normal program when powdery mildew is first observed. May be applied up to the day before harvest. 4-hr reentry.
MilStop (85% potassium bicarbonate) at 2 to 5 lb/A. 1-hr reentry.
Flint at 1 to 4 oz/A in 15 to 200 gal water/A. See label for specific rates and concentrations. Do not apply more than one (1) foliar application of Flint or other Group 11 fungicide before alternating to a labeled fungicide with a different mode of action. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Note ‘Concord’ grapes are sensitive to Flint and may be injured if accidentally sprayed. 12-hr reentry.
Oils are labeled for control of hop powdery mildew. Coverage is essential. Cannot be used with or close to sulfur applications. Do not use Omite during or following an oil spray. Do not spray if temperature is below 50°F or above 90°F or when plants are under heat or moisture stress. See label for details.
IAP Organic 440 Spray Oil at 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water on 10- to 14-day intervals. 4-hr reentry. O
JMS Stylet Oil at 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water on 10- to 14-day intervals. Do not spray wet foliage. 4-hr reentry.
Omni Supreme Spray is registered for use in Washington only. SLN WA-980026. 4-hr reentry.
Saf-T-Side at 1 to 2 gal/100 gal of water. May be applied up to day of harvest. 4-hr reentry.
Superior Spray Oil N.W. at 1 to 5 gal/100 gal water on 7- to 14-day intervals. Oregon and Washington only (SLN OR-990010, SLN WA-980023). Do not spray wet foliage. 4-hr reentry.
Orius 3.6F at 4 to 8 fl oz/A on 10- to 14-day intervals. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
Pristine on 10- to 21-day intervals. See supplemental label for specific rates and concentrations. Do not make more than two (2) sequential applications of Pristine or other Group 11 fungicide before alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action. Do not apply more than three (3) times per season or within 14 days of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
Quintec at 4 to 8.2 fl oz/A on 7- to 14-day intervals. Do not make more than two (2) consecutive applications without alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action. Do not make more than four (4) applications per year. Do not apply within 21 days of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
Rally 40WSP at 2 to 10 oz/A on 5- to 10-day intervals. Do not make more than four (4) applications per year. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. 24-hr reentry.
Sonoma 40WSP at 2 to 10 oz/A on 7- to 10-day intervals. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. 24-hr reentry.
Sulfur is registered for hop (Sul-Preme 52 Flowable Sulfur, Supersix Liquid Sulfur). Sulfur is fungitoxic in its vapor phase and, therefore, is effective only when air temperatures promote volatilization. Sulfur volatilizes above 65°F but becomes phytotoxic above 95°F. Using it above 85°F is not recommended. Although sulfur reduces sporulation of established infections, it is primarily a protectant and must be applied before infection. Begin applying when weather conditions are appropriate and continue at weekly intervals. See label for details on rates and reentry intervals.
Tebustar 3.6L at 4 to 8 fl oz/A on 10- to 14-day intervals. Do not apply within 7 days of harvest. 12-hr reentry.
Tebuzol 3.6F at 4 to 8 fl oz/A on 10- to 14-day intervals. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. 12-hr reentry..
Biological
control: Efficacy unknown in the Pacific Northwest.
Serenade WP at 6 to 10 lb/A on 7-day intervals. Can rotate with other fungicides. 4-hr re-entry.
Sonata at 2 to 4 quarts/100 gal water or per acre, depending on growth stage, on 7- to 14-day intervals. Can be applied up to and on the day of harvest. 4-hr reentry.
Content edited by:
C. M. Ocamb and D.H. Gent on
January 1, 2010
