Downy Mildew - Peas
Established infection on leaves & visible downy mildew on underside of pea leaf
Established infection on leaves & visible downy mildew on underside of pea leaf
Fungus
Peas and beans (field and broad)
A dense grey/brown velvety fungal growth develops on the underside of infected leaves and there is a yellowing of their upper surface. The fungal growth may also develop on stems and pods.
Infective spores can survive in the soil for at least 8 years and attack seedlings as they emerge. The disease then spreads to the surrounding crop by air and rain splash. Oospores are formed within diseased tissue which overwinter in crop debris in the soil which infect seedlings as they emerge in the spring. The same pathogen affects both peas and beans.
Favourable Factors
Cool, wet conditions.
Yield losses can be considerable, particularly in wet seasons. Yield losses in peas can be as much as 55%.
Find out more information on the key disease threats to your pea and bean crop. For each disease you will find out the importance of the disease in terms of potential yield penalty, how to identify the disease in its early stages and our advice on the best control strategies.