TECHNICAL DOCUMENT ON POWDERY MILDEW AND ANTHRACNOSE OF Mentha SPP

Mentha spp. (locally named mint or spearmint) is an important widespread vegetable crop in different countries around the world. It was infected by many fungal diseases including powdery mildew and anthracnose. Powdery mildew is an important and serious fungal disease on Mentha spp. caused by the fungus Golovinomyces biocellatus (Formerly Erysiphe cichoracearum) which overwinters on mint, stubble and many wild hosts. The disease symptoms represented by appearing white powdery spots on the leaves and stems of the plant. So, these spots become larger and denser when the disease progresses. This disease can be controlled by removing plant debris, removing infected plants from the former season and using many suitable fungicides. Anthracnose is another important fungal disease that infects Mentha spp. It caused by the fungus Sphaceloma menthae and Colletotrichum spp., which may be considered as seed-borne fungi. The disease symptoms include circular, oval or irregular spots which firstly appear yellow to brown, then they become black with the age progress. This disease can be controlled by using healthy plant materials, mechanical practices and applying some suitable fungicides. Both of these two diseases are very important and harmful to mint plants, significantly reduce the crop production and cause serious economic losses. So, powdery mildew is more harmful than anthracnose. In this technical document, we summarize the current knowledge of powdery mildew and anthracnose diseases epidemiology symptoms and signs, disease cycle, ecology and disease management.