Downy mildew

Contributor: Wageningen University & Research
Date Compiled: 2025
Creative Commons "Attribution-Share Alike"
Bremia lactucae (downy mildew of lettuce); Initial and later symptoms. Image copyright: ©Dr Philip Taylor (CABI)

Prevention

Solution Production stage (if possible with reference to BBCH scale)
Wide crop rotations
Pre-season
Destroy residues of diseased crops
Pre-season
Increase soil drainage
From Sowing/Planting to Harvest
Reduce crop density
Sowing/Planting
Aerate the greenhouses
From Sowing/Planting to Harvest
Using resistant varieties
Sowing/Planting

Control

Regulations surrounding biological products can change rapidly – always verify products recommended here with the most recent legislation and lists of products registered for your country
Solution Product Category Production stage (if possible with reference to BBCH scale) Max nb. of a. i. application/year Application Details and Notes (commercial product example) Chemical Group Risk resistance (FRAC Code)
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum D747
Microbiological fungicide
From BBCH 14 to BBCH 49
6
(Amylo-X) Dosage: 1,5-2,5 Kg/ha
Laminarin
Resistance inductor
From BBCH 13 to BBCH 49
6
(VACCIPLANT) Dosage: 2 Kg/ha
Low risk Active substance
Cerevisane
Biological fungicide
Preventive treatments before identified risk periods. Suspend treatments 1 day before harvest
8
(ROMEO) 0.75 Kg/Ha
Natural compound
Potassium bicarbonate fungicide
Biological fungicide
Preventive treatments before identified risk periods. Suspend treatments 1 day before harvest
8
(KARMA) Dosage 3 Kg/Ha
Inorganic
Low risk (NC)

Regulations surrounding chemical products can change rapidly – always verify chemicals recommended here with the most recent legislation and lists of products registered for your country
Solution Product Category Production stage (if possible with reference to BBCH scale) Max nb. of a. i. application/year Application Details and Notes (commercial product example) Chemical Group Risk resistance (FRAC Code)
Oxathiopiprolin
Synthetic fungicide
When first symptoms occur. Suspend treatments 7 days before harvest
Maximum 3 treatments per year and maximum 2 per cycle
(ORONDIS VEG®) Dosage in open field: 0,15 L/ha
OSBPI oxysterol binding protein homologue inhibition
Resistance risk assumed to be medium to high (49)
Fosetyl-Aluminium
Synthetic fungicide
2-3 preventive foliar sprays with an interval of 10-14 days. Suspend treatments 14 days before harvest
Max 10 kg/ha per year
(ALIETTE) Dosage: 2-3 kg/ha.
Phosphonates
Low risk (P07)
Cymoxanil
Synthetic fungicide
When first symptoms occur. Suspend treatments 7 days before harvest
1 (per crop cycle)
(CYMBAL) Dosage: 250 g/ha
Cyanoacetamide- oxime
Low to medium risk (27)
Ametoctradine
Synthetic fungicide
Start of treatments since there are favorable conditions for the development of infection. Suspend treatments 7 days before harvest
2 (Both alone and mixed)
(ENERVIN® DUO) Dosage: 0,8 L/ha
QoSI fungicides (Quinone outside Inhibitor, stigmatellin binding type)
Resistance risk assumed to be medium to high (45)
Mandipropamid
Synthetic fungicide
Start of treatments since there are favorable conditions for the development of infection. Suspend treatments 7 days before harvest
4 (1 intervention per crop cycle)
(PERGADO SC®) Dosage: 0,6 L/ha
CAA-fungicides (Carboxylic Acid Amides)
Resistance known in Plasmopara viticola but not in Phytophthora infestans. Cross resistance between all members of the CAA group. Low to medium risk. (40)
Propamocarb
Synthetic fungicide
Start of treatments since there are favorable conditions for the development of infection. Suspend treatments 7 days before harvest
2 (per crop cycle)
(PREVITER) Dosage: 1,5 L/ha
Carbamates
Low to medium risk (28)
Fluopicolide
Synthetic fungicide
starting from the formation of the head to pre-harvest. Suspend treatments 7 days before harvest
2
(VOLARE®) Dosage: 1,4-1,6 L/ha
Benzamides
Resistant isolates detected in grapevine downy mildew. Medium risk (43)
The information made available here has been obtained from or is based upon sources believed by CABI to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. Anyone acting or relying on such information does so entirely at their own risk. The efficacy of the IPM methods included above will depend on local conditions and might not always be suitable everywhere within the specified country.