Powdery mildew has become increasingly common in cucurbitaceous crops (bottle gourd, ridge gourd, cucumber, pumpkin, watermelon, etc.) due to cool nights, warm days, and dry weather. These conditions favors rapid fungal growth and can cause 40–60% yield loss if not controlled in time.
How to Identify Early Symptoms ?
- White, powder-like fungal patches on upper leaf surfaces
- Leaves becoming yellow, curled, or dry
- Reduced flowering and poor fruit development
- Premature leaf drop in severe infection
Early symptoms often appear on lower, older leaves first.
Control
Preventive fungicides:
- Sulphur 80% WP @ 2 g/l
- Wettable sulphur or micronized sulphur (best under dry weather)
Curative/systemic fungicides:
- Hexaconazole 5% EC @ 1 ml/l (NS Conarex)
- Tebuconazole 25% EC @ 0.5 ml/l
- Myclobutanil 10% WP @ 0.4 g/l
Spray interval: 7–10 days, depending on humidity and disease pressure.
