downy mildew

noun

1

: any of various parasitic lower fungi (family Peronosporaceae) that produce whitish masses of sporangiophores or conidiophores on the undersurface of the leaves of the host

2

: a plant disease caused by a downy mildew

Examples of downy mildew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gardeners will be glad to know plants are resistant to impatiens downy mildew. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2024

Spray dormant fruit trees and roses now to prevent leaf curl, fire blight, downy mildew, aphids, scale and other problems in spring and summer. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024

Minor diseases like powdery mildew or nuisance pests like aphids are less of a concern, but more substantial diseases like downy mildew and pests like allium leaf miner are best managed with prevention. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023

Types Of Impatiens Gardeners have grown endless varieties of impatiens over the years, but the plague of downy mildew has shifted the focus to breeding and selling impatiens that are resistant to disease. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2023

But basil is one of the few herbs that sometimes struggles with diseases such as downy mildew and leaf spot, so look for newer types, such as columnar basil, which is more disease-resistant. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 12 May 2023

Basil is one of the few herbs that sometimes struggles with diseases such as downy mildew and leaf spot, so look for newer varieties, such as columnar basil, which is more disease-resistant. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 17 Mar. 2023

Agastache is apparently prone to downy mildew. —oregonlive, 8 Oct. 2022

Spray dormant fruit trees now to prevent leaf curl, fire blight, downy mildew, aphids, scale and other problems in spring and summer. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for downy mildew

• hullabaloo
• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup