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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downy mildew.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downy mildew was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near downy mildew

Cite this Entry

“Downy mildew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downy%20mildew. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on downy mildew

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!