Powdery Mildew on My Citrus

Powdery mildew is a common plant disease.

Citrus is a popular fruit that produces a healthy harvest with minimal care. Provide a well-drained, fertile soil and plant in areas receiving at least six hours of sun. Citrus trees are susceptible to a number of fungal diseases.

Causal Agent

Oidium tingitaninum causes powdery mildew on citrus. The disease is among the most common and recognized plant diseases, according to the Colorado State University Extension.

Symptoms

Early symptoms of disease include the young foliage turning a light green tinged white color with upward curling. White colored spores appear on upper leaf areas.

Damange

Powdery mildew leads to extensive leaf drop in infested trees with death of young tree shoots.

Management

Reduce humidity around tree and avoid overhead watering. Chemical controls include the use of potassium bicarbonate, triforine, sulfur based fungicides and neem oil.

References

• Colorado Cooperative Extension: Citrus Trees
• Food and Fertilizer Technology Center: Major Diseases of Citrus in Asia
• Colorado State University Extension: Powdery Mildews