How to fight it successfully

Symptoms

• small, white pustules on the leaves
• later a floury topping
• if the grain reacts to defense, dark brown spots appear
• small black fruit bodies (especially on wheat)

When does powdery mildew occur?

Young ears in particular are at risk mildew to get sick. Triggers that are favorable to the fungus

• either very high or very low humidity
• little sunlight
• Temperatures in the range of 12-20 ° C
• Damage and injury to the leaves
• mild, dry spring and autumn months
• generally little rainfall

The mildew-causing fungus overwinters in the mycelium of the grain and uses the cold season to reproduce. In spring the wind spreads it to the surrounding grain fields.

Prevent

• grow resistant varieties
• mixed cultures are best
• Carefully remove the remains of the last harvest and loosen the soil well
• late sowing in autumn, early sowing in spring
• Do not grow summer crops in the main wind direction
• Fertilize as little as possible with liquid manure

Approved plant protection products

Once an infestation has occurred, the affected ears must be treated as quickly as possible so as not to endanger neighboring crops. Two fungicides are currently approved for the control of powdery mildew:

• Sulfur based agents
• Corbel

But before a farmer can resort to these means, a precise analysis of the intensity of the powdery mildew infestation is necessary. For this purpose, 40 stalks are taken diagonally from the field and checked. The three most recent sheets are the focus of interest. If 30-60 leaves show conspicuous symptoms, spraying the fungicide is acceptable.