Our mission: regional participation in a national, integrated system providing useful, reliable information and tools for IPM practioners
About Ag Pest Monitor: Basil
The Basil Downy Mildew website was created is to provide a place where reports of occurrences can be logged and mapped as well as share information about the disease and pathogen including identification, past occurrence and management.
Who We Are
Basil downy mildew was first observed in the USA in fall 2007 in Florida. Seed contaminated with the pathogen was likely the initial source of the pathogen. Wind-dispersed spores are considered a more important source of the pathogen for field-grown plantings and gardens. There have been occurrences in greenhouses in winter for which contaminated seed seemed the likely pathogen source.
The causal pathogen is Peronospora belbahrii.
Sweet basil is more susceptible than spice types.
Other types of plants are not susceptible.
The pathogen cannot survive in soil overwinter.