Term for two dangerous plant diseases caused by fungi. They were unknown in Europe until the second half of the 19th century and were first introduced from North America with contaminated vine material. Shortly afterwards, phylloxera and another plant disease, black rot, were also introduced from North America, which is why these pests were referred to as the "four great plagues".
The two mildews feed on the living cells of the infested host, which is why they are categorised as biotrophic parasites. There are plant-specific ones for apples, peas, cucumbers, roses, spinach and grapevines. The strictly host-specific fungi can only live on their host or hosts. Although the different disease symptoms are clear, the two fungi are often confused due to their similar names.
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Thomas Götz
Weinberater, Weinblogger und Journalist; Schwendi