By Silah Koech
Hiiii…every one there, here are a few tip’s on management and control of Downy mildew before the start of Elnino rainfall.
Use good quality plant and seed material with history of low disease incidence, selecting varieties with genetic resistance against the disease. Inspect new arrivals and reject or quarantine if in doubt.
Scout routinely (at least 2-3 times weekly) to identify diseased plants before the epidemic strike. Turn the leaves over to check for spatulation on the undersides of the leaves.
Reduce humidity by increasing plant spacing and air flow; avoid overhead irrigation, but if used, apply early in the day to allow for drying of the leaves by the afternoon if necessary check inside and outside temperature for catain management (Best known as manipulating the environment).
Do not hold plants between crop cycles; remove plant debris, hygiene is very very Paramount.
Chemicals for Downy mildew are available in the market. Chemical application should be considered preventative since once these diseases get started, curative action can rarely be achieved.
It’s my take that with those few tips somebody somewhere within Eldoret and it’s environs will agree with me. Ahsanteni.