powdery mildew

noun

|Updated on: 26 Jul 2018

Definition of powdery mildew

1 : an ascomycetous fungus (family Erysiphaceae) producing abundant powdery conidia on the host

2 : a plant disease caused by a powdery mildew

Recent Examples of powdery mildew from the Web

MacDonald described a crop that was infected with powdery mildew from the beginning and later was infested with spider mites and other pests.

— michael dresser, Washington Post, "Regulators investigate Maryland medical marijuana grower for alleged pesticide use," 10 July 2018
Answer: What sort of looks like snow is called powdery mildew, a fungal disease.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "White coating on crape myrtle is fungus," 26 May 2018
McDonald described a crop that was infected with powdery mildew from the beginning and later was infested with spider mites and other pests.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Regulators investigating Maryland medical marijuana grower for alleged pesticide use," 9 July 2018
Please don’t blame me when I get covered in powdery mildew and catch other fungal diseases.

— rita perwich, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Send the right blooming messages to your roses," 5 July 2018
Your local garden center horticulturist can help select one of the newer systemic fungicides labeled for powdery mildew control on crape myrtles.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "White coating on crape myrtle is fungus," 26 May 2018
Warm weather brings on powdery mildew, which covers a plant with a downy, white fungal coating that sucks nutrients out of the leaves.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Growing Peas Has Never Been Easier Than This," 31 Mar. 2017
Control powdery mildew and leaf spots with a fungicide as needed.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Hydrangeas need special handling," 17 May 2018
Avoid powdery mildew by planting resistant cultivars.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Growing Peas Has Never Been Easier Than This," 31 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'powdery mildew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.