Let’s face it, if you are running any type of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) operation, you will eventually have to deal with powdery mildew. It’s not a matter of if, but simply when. It’s the dirty little secret that every indoor agriculture grower has, but no one wants to admit or talk about.
What is powdery mildew and why is it such a common problem?
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that presents as a white, powder-like substance on leaf surfaces, stems and shoots. There are a several species of fungi responsible for powdery mildew, most of which are host–specific for each plant type. Unfortunately, CEA growing conditions provide the ideal environment for rapid fungal growth and spread.
The fungal spores responsible for infection are ever-present in the environment, and there is no way to prevent initial exposure, however, germination and spread can be prevented using appropriate control methods.
What are common prevention and treatment methods for powdery mildew?
Ideally, prevention of infection is always the best option, but due to the ubiquitous nature of the causative agents, this can be difficult. Facility and staff hygiene, along with proper ventilation and air filtration, can be helpful, but do not completely eliminate the threat of infection.
Fungicides are available for the prevention and treatment of powdery mildew, but their use has drawbacks. Synthetic fungicides, such as myclobutanil, while approved for use under specific conditions, can have a range of toxic effects, such as neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenicity. While not a fungicide, the highly-publicized serious health effects of the herbicide Glyphosate has underscored the danger of toxic chemical usage in modern agriculture.
Fungicides also have strict pre-harvest interval (PHI) requirements. The PHI for fungicides is typically between 21-30 days.
There are proposed less-toxic, more environmentally-friendly options for powdery mildew removal. These include neem oil, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), potassium bicarbonate, and sulfur, but these all have their limitations. For example, sodium and potassium bicarbonate can alter pH, and sulfur can be a potent respiratory system, skin, and eye irritant.
Is there a better solution to help growers prevent and eradicate powdery mildew?
Yes! Recent advances in agricultural science now provide a better, safer choice for growers to combat powdery mildew.
Bio520 is an all-natural, highly-effective solution for powdery mildew prevention and eradication. It combines a broad-spectrum, synergistic blend of special mineral ores with a unique proprietary process to create the finest particle size obtainable. Bio520, used as a foliar spray and/or drench, stops powdery mildew in its tracks, and helps ensure it does not come back. And, because it is chemical free, with zero toxicity, there is no PHI to be concerned about.
Powdery mildew can wipe out your entire crop, and jeopardize everything you have worked so hard for. Reach out to us today to put the power of Bio520 to work for you!
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