Downy mildew refers to any of several types of oomycete microbes that are obligate parasites of plants. Downy mildews exclusively belong to Peronosporaceae. In commercial agriculture, they are a particular problem for growers of crucifers, grapes and vegetables that grow on vines. The prime example is Peronospora farinosa featured in NCBI-Taxonomy and HYP3. This pathogen does not produce survival structures in the northern states of the USA, and overwinters as live mildew colonies in Gulf Coast states. It progresses northward with cucurbit production each spring. Yield loss associated with downy mildew is most likely related to soft rots that occur after plant canopies collapse and sunburn occurs on fruit. Cucurbit downy mildew only affects leaves of cucurbit plants.
Initial symptoms include large, angular or blocky, yellow areas visible on the upper surface. As lesions mature, they expand rapidly and turn brown. The under surface of infected leaves appears watersoaked. Upon closer inspection, a purple-brown mold (see arrow) becomes apparent. Small spores shaped like footballs can be observed among the mold with a 10x hand lens. In disease-favorable conditions (cool nights with long dew periods), downy mildew will spread rapidly, destroying leaf tissue without affecting stems or petioles.
Downy Mildew was an American folk pop/alternative rock band from San Luis Obispo, California active between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s.
Formed in San Luis Obispo, California in the mid-1980s, the early lineup consisted of Jenny Homer (guitar, vocals), Charlie Baldonado (vocals, guitar), Nancy McCoy (bass guitar), and Mike Marasse (drums), all students at local colleges. The band's first release was a self-titled EP on the Texas Hotel label in 1986. Their folk-pop sound, inspired by 1960s pop, saw them lumped in with the Paisley Underground scene, and they were compared to 10,000 Maniacs. Debut album Broomtree followed in 1987, and was released by Glass Records in the UK.
Marasse left, to be replaced by John Hofer, with Salvador Garza added on violin, and the new lineup recorded the album Mincing Steps, released in 1988.
Hofer then left, and after a few years with only a sole single released on Triple X, the band returned in 1992 with the Elevator EP, released on the Windham Hill sub-label 'High Street', now with Rob Jacobs on drums. By this time their sound had evolved more towards alternative rock. This was followed by the album An Oncoming Train. McCoy left after becoming pregnant and was replaced by Janine Cooper (formerly of Pet Clark) for the band's final album, Slow Sky, released in 1994. The band split up in 1995.