In 1997 and 1998, the white fungal growth of a powdery mildew was observed on leaves and stems of both nursery and landscape spearmint (Mentha spicata) growing in coastal California (Monterey County). Mycelia were conspicuous, amphigenous, and epiphytic with indistinct to nipple-shaped appressoria. Conidiophore foot cells were cylindrical, straight, nonconstricted at the base, 61 to 92 μm × 11 to 14 μm in size, and were followed by 1 to 3 cells. Doliiform conidia, which were borne in chains of at least 3 to 5 conidia, measured 28 to 33 μm × 17 to 22 μm. Catenate conidia had sinuate edge lines. Conidia lacked fibrosin bodies. Upon germination, conidia produced germ tubes that were mostly apically inserted and ended in club-shaped appressoria, which fit Braun's Cichoracearum-type of conidial germination (1). Cleistothecia were not observed. Based on these features, the pathogen was identified as Erysiphe orontii Cast. (1). Pathogenicity was demonstrated by gently pressing diseased leaves onto leaves of potted spearmint, incubating plants in a humidity chamber for 48 h, then maintaining plants in a greenhouse. The powdery mildew that later developed was morphologically identical to the original isolates. While powdery mildew on spearmint has been observed previously in the state, this is the first report of the disease and first characterization of the pathogen for California.
Reference: (1) U. Braun. Beih. Nova Hedwigia 89:1, 1987.
