Impatiens downy mildew: Management options for the greenhouse, nursery, and landscape industries
A. J. PALMATEER (1), I. J. Maguire (1), S. N. Suarez (1), P. N. Lopez (1). (1) University of Florida, Homestead, FL, U.S.A.
Florida’s commercial producers and landscapers experienced widespread devastation caused by downy mildew on impatiens over the past two winters. This recent introduction of <i>Plasmopara obducens</i> into Florida has created much concern for the future of growing impatiens, as the state and the nation’s most economically important bedding plant is in jeopardy. Wintertime conditions in South Florida provide highly favorable weather for the pathogen and the disease is currently devastating impatiens in the greenhouse, nursery and landscape. Data collected from fungicide efficacy trials conducted at the Univeristy of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center over the past two years indicate promising results that apply to impatiens grown under commercial production and in the landscape. The presentation will provide an overview of these trials including results on effective fungicide chemistries for containerized and landscape grown impatiens, fungicide application methods and fungicide application timing. Further, cost, benefits and economic feasibility of downy mildew control strategies will be addressed.
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