First Report of Pepper Powdery Mildew Caused by Leveillula taurica in Oklahoma

During April 1999, bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) from a commercial hydroponics greenhouse in Oklahoma County, OK, were severely affected by powdery mildew caused by Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arnaud (anamorph Oidiopsis taurica (Lev.) Salmon). Defoliation levels (50 to 75%) were similar for cvs. Valencia, Lavender Islander, Sweet Chocolate, Aladdin, Purple Beauty, Golden Summer, Chocolate Beauty, Early Sunsation, Fat N'Sassy, Lilac, Sweet Rainbow Mix, and Ivory. Fruit from infected plants were small and unmarketable. Newly infected leaves exhibited light powdery colonies that were visible on abaxial leaf surfaces. On older leaves, abaxial leaf surfaces were completely covered by powdery mildew. Severely infected leaves developed chlorotic and necrotic patches on adaxial leaf surfaces prior to leaf drop. L. taurica was identified by the presence of endophytic mycelia, often-branched conidiophores, and dimorphic conidia borne singly or in short chains (1). In 50 measurements of each type, pyriform conidia...