Vegetables - Disease Management          Pat Donald, MU  (573) 882-2716 
                                         Om Sehgal, MU (573) 882-7060

                               KEY
                          1 = Symptoms
                           2 = Control

SPINACH        

Seed decay and damping off (several fungi)     
   1.  Pre-emergence death of seeds or seedlings. Post-emergence
       death of seedlings. 
   2.  Apply Metalaxyl--Ridomil 2E--as a soil application to      
       control damping off caused by Pythium spp. May be banded
       over the row, pre-plant incorporated or injected with liquid
       fertilizer.  See label.

Downy mildew (Blue mold)   Peronospora effusa (fungus)  
   1.  Pale yellow spots on leaves. Spots on leaf undersides
       covered with violet-gray mold. Young plants stunted and
       light colored. The blue mold fungus overwinters in soil, in
       seed, and in spinch plantings.  Disease develops mostly in
       cool moist weather. 
   2.  Under cool, wet weather with warm days, use several        
       applications of foliar fungicide at 7-10 day intervals. Use
       fixed or neutral coppers. Remove fungicide residues by     
       washing.  Consult seed catalogs for current information
       on resistant varieties.

Virus:
Cucumber mosaic (CMV)    
   1.  Yellowing and wilting of young center leaves that later
       turn brown and die.  
   2.  Control aphid vectors with appropriate insecticide. Some
       varieties have tolerance to the virus. Consult seed catalogs
       for current information on varieties.  Consult the Plant
       Disease Clinic for more information on serological testing
       provided by Dr. Om Sehgal.

White rust (fungus)   Albugo occidentalis 
   1.  White blister-like spots on leaves, usually on upper
       surfaces. Some distortion.     
   2.  Use metalaxyl--Ridomil 2E 4-8 pt./A--as a soil application
       or Ridomil/Copper 70W 2 1/2 lb./A-foliar application.
       May be banded over the row, pre-plant incorporated or
       injected with liquid fertilizer. Destroy weeds that harbor
       white rust, such as lambsquarters, morning glory, pigweed
       and wild mustard.