Powdery mildew

White powdery patches appear on leaves and other green parts, which later become dull coloured. These patches gradually increase in size and become circular covering the lower surface. When the infection is severe, both the surfaces of the leaves are completely covered by whitish powdery growth. Severely affected parts get shrivelled and distorted. In severe infections, foliage becomes yellow causing premature defoliation. The disease also creates forced maturity of the infected plants which results in heavy yield losses. The fungal agent (pathogen) has a wide host range and survives on various hosts in off-season. It is spread by wind and water splash.