Emmalea Ernest, Extension Fruit & Vegetable Specialist; emmalea@udel.edu
Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) was recently reported in southern New Castle County, and it is spreading in nearby states. CDM has been reported in Atlantic, Salem, and Gloucester counties in southern New Jersey. There are also three counties in North Carolina reporting CDM (https://cdm.ipmpipe.org/). All the reports in Delaware, New Jersey and North Carolina are on cucumber or cantaloupe, indicating that it is probably Clade II isolates that are circulating in the region and cucumber and cantaloupe crops are most at risk.
Continue to scout all cucurbit crops for CDM symptoms, particularly cantaloupe and cucumber. Preventative fungicides should be considered for these two crops, especially more recent plantings that will be harvested later in the season.