Ontario Reports Downy Mildew On Cucumber And Cantaloupe

Jun 29, 2017

By Mary Hausbeck

Michigan cucurbit growers should protect their crops from downy mildew.

Downy mildew has been reported in Essex County in Ontario, Canada, putting the pathogen within easy striking distance of Michigan’s cucurbit crops. This pattern of downy mildew being detected in our immediate region around the time of July 4, 2017, has become well-established.

Ontario Reports Downy Mildew On Cucumber And Cantaloupe

Downy mildew symptoms on cucumber.

If fungicide sprays have not been applied to the most susceptible crops including cucumbers, cantaloupe and watermelon, this is an appropriate time to begin a fungicide program (see table below). For downy mildew symptoms on other cucurbit crops, see our tip sheet, “Monitoring and Managing Cucurbit Downy Mildew.”

Spore trapping for the pathogen has been ongoing in Michigan and downy mildew spores have not been found in significant numbers. This information is posted and updated each day and can be viewed at MSU’s Downy Mildew News.

Reports of downy mildew have increased across many counties in the southeastern U.S. in the last 10 days. States with the disease include Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Texas. In the northeastern U.S., downy mildew has been reported in Maryland. You can view confirmed outbreaks across the U.S. at the Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting website.

Preferred downy mildew fungicides
Product	Active ingredient	FRAC	Comments (maximum applications per season)
Orondis Opti*	oxathiapiprolin/ chlorothalonil	45/ M05	Make no more than two sequential applications before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode of action (FRAC). Use either soil applications of Orondis or foliar applications of Orondis Opti A, but not both for disease control. Do not use for more than one-third of the total foliar fungicide applications. (6)
Ranman 4SC*	cyazofamid	21	Mix with chlorothalonil or mancozeb. (6)
Gavel 75DF	mancozeb/ zoxamide	M03/ 22	Mix with chlorothalonil or other downy mildew fungicide. (8)
Zampro 4.4SC	ametoctradin/ dimethomorph	45/40	Mix with chlorothalonil or mancozeb. Labeled for application via drip as a foliar spray. (4)
Zing! SC	zoxamide/ chlorothalonil	22/ M05	Mix with mancozeb or other downy mildew fungicide. (8)

*Orondis Opti and Ranman have performed exceptionally well in Michigan trials.

Source: msu.edu

Video: Grazing Network Group: What it is and how it benefits our operation

In the spring of 2023 OMAFA, along with the University of Guelph, gathered a group of 18 producers from the beef, sheep, and dairy sectors to support a three to four year research project related to measuring grass growth in Ontario. The producers use a Rising Plate Meter to capture grass growth and record livestock movements. This presentation will explain how the group interact/support one another, some initial findings, as well as the benefits for the research team and our farm.

The purpose of the Profitable Pastures conference is to bring fresh ideas and new research results to Ontario grazing managers across the ruminant livestock sectors. These conferences have a major focus on pasture management