Agriculture is a fundamental component for the development and maintenance of any society. However, plantations are vulnerable to a wide range of pests and diseases.
One of the most common is the white blight, known to devastate crops and cause considerable damage to farmers. In this article, you will find out how to identify and treat this pest.
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The White Plague
Powdery mildew, popularly known as the white plague, is a disease caused by the fungus Sphaerotheca fuliginea, which affects several crops. It is characterized by the presence of dots or white powder on the leaves, although this symptom can also be caused by other pathogens.
Causes
As mentioned earlier, white blight is caused by a fungus that thrives in moist, nutrient-rich environments. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful not to create favorable conditions for its growth. Here are some preventive measures:
- Irrigation – Excess irrigation, and consequently water, provides a favorable environment for the proliferation of microorganisms in general, including the causative agent of the white plague. Therefore, it is important to regulate the irrigation of your plants according to the amount of water they need.
- Fertilizing – Proper nutrition is also a crucial factor in maintaining a pest-free crop. Each plant requires different amounts of fertilizer and, in excess, this can favor the growth of microorganisms.
- potting – Nutrient care is strongly related to potting, especially for garden plants. If the pot is too large, the extra space can trap water and nutrients, creating conditions conducive to the white blight.
- physical factors – Other factors such as temperature, light and air circulation must be considered to prevent the proliferation of the white blight. Therefore, it is important to attend to the specificities of each plantation.
Treatment
The good news is that the treatment of this disease can be carried out in an economical and effective way, without the need to resort to fungicides. A mixture of 5% raw cow's milk and 95% water proved to be effective, as attested by Embrapa researchers.