downy mildew

downy mildew

n.

A disease of plants caused by fungi of the order Peronosporales and characterized by gray, velvety patches of spores on the lower surfaces of leaves.

---

downy mildew

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plant Pathology) a serious plant disease, characterized by yellowish patches on the undersurface of the leaves, caused by the parasitic fungi of the family Peronosporaceae, such as Peronospora destructor: affects onions, cauliflower, lettuce, etc.

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plant Pathology) any of the fungi causing this disease Compare powdery mildew

---

downy mildew  (doun)

A disease of plants caused by oomycete organisms of the order Peronosporales and characterized by gray, velvety patches of spores on the lower surfaces of leaves. Downy mildew of the grapevine nearly destroyed the French wine industry in the 1870s, spurring the development of the first chemical pesticides used on plants.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

downy mildew - any of various fungi of the family Peronosporaceae parasitic on e.g. grapes and potatoes and melons false mildew family Peronosporaceae, Peronosporaceae - parasitic fungi: downy mildews blue mold fungus, Peronospora tabacina - fungus causing a serious disease in tobacco plants characterized by bluish-grey mildew on undersides of leaves onion mildew, Peronospora destructor - fungus causing a downy mildew on onions Peronospora hyoscyami, tobacco mildew - fungus causing a downy mildew on growing tobacco mildew - a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter