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Leveillula taurica (Lév.) Arn.

Mycologia, ASCOMYCOTINA, ERYSIPHALES, ERYSIPHACEAE .

Crops attacked: artichoke .

[R]Common Names :

Powdery mildew

Reported throughout the Mediterranean area where Artichoke is cultivated.

Identification, Description, Biology, Epidemiology, Treatement, Possible misleading, Images

[R]Identification
Detectable macroscopic aspects.
Dissecting and light microscopy.
Impossible isolation : strict parasite.

[R]Description
Chlorotic spots on the adaxial surface of mature leaves ; white powdery mass on the abaxial surface corresponding to the spots.
The affected parts turn brown, dry out and break easily.
The attacked leaves often stiffen and curl upwards.
The progressive decay of the foliage lead to stunting or wilting of the head.

[R]Biology
Usually the fungus is found in its imperfect Oidiopsis taurica form.
Contrary to most Erysiphacaes living on the host surface, this mycelium also develops in the parenchymal tissues inside the leaves.
The white powdery sporulation is made of long conidiophores bearing the conidia at their upper extremity : the abundant conidial production spreads the disease.
The pathogen survives as mycelium or perithecia inside which asci form carrying two ascospores.
Perithecia occur in late summer only if the weather conditions are not favourable to mycelial growth.

[R]Epidemiology
The disease usually occurs in autumn (and even late summer in early crops) and spring if temperature exceeds 10 °C. and RH is high.

[R]Treatement
Repeated weekly or bi-monthly treatment with specific anti-powdery mildew from the occurence of the first symptoms to the onset of the cold season (low temperature preventing new infection).

[R]Possible misleading
The symptoms of Bremia lactucae mildew.

[R] Images

  1. Leivellula taurica , Powdery mildew (NICOT P., INRA)
    Powdery mildew of market plants Conidia chains of Leivellula taurica .
  2. Leveillula taurica , Powdery mildew (CORDA P., CORISA)
    Powdery mildew of market plants Artichoke leaf showing the downiness due to powdery mildew on its upper surface.
  3. Leveillula taurica , Powdery mildew (CORDA P., CORISA)
    Powdery mildew of market plants Necrotic remains following a powdery mildew attack on the blade of an artichoke leaf.

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