Predicting Damage to Hop Cones by Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is a cosmopolitan pest of numerous plants, including hop (Humulus lupulus L.). The most costly damage from the pest on hop results from infestation of cones, which are the harvested product, which can render crops unsalable if cones become discolored.

Susceptibility of Hop Crown Buds to Powdery Mildew and its Relation to Perennation of Podosphaera macularis.

In the Pacific Northwestern United States, the hop powdery mildew fungus, Podosphaera macularis, survives overwintering periods in association with living host tissue because the ascigerious stage of the pathogen is not known to occur in this region. Field experiments were conducted over a 5-year period to describe the overwintering process associated with crown bud infection and persistence of P. macularis.

Risk Factors for Bud Perennation of Podosphaera macularis on Hop.

The hop powdery mildew fungus Podosphaera macularis persists from season to season in the Pacific Northwestern United States through infection of crown buds because only one of the mating types needed to produce the ascigerous stage is presently found in this region. Bud infection and successful overwintering of the fungus leads to the emergence of heavily infected shoots in early spring (termed flag shoots). Historical data of flag shoot occurrence and incidence in Oregon and Washington State during 2000 to 2017 were analyzed to identify their association with the incidence of powdery mildew, growers' use of fungicides, autumn and winter temperature, and other production factors.

Pre- and Postinfection Activity of Fungicides in Control of Hop Downy Mildew.

Optimum timing and use of fungicides for disease control are improved by an understanding of the characteristics of fungicide physical mode of action. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to quantify and model the duration of pre- and postinfection activity of fungicides most commonly used for control of hop downy mildew (caused by Pseudoperonospora humuli). In greenhouse experiments, control of downy mildew on leaves was similar among fungicides tested when applied preventatively but varied depending on both the fungicide and the timing of application postinfection.

Development of partial ontogenic resistance to powdery mildew in hop cones and its management implications.

Knowledge of processes leading to crop damage is central to devising rational approaches to disease management. Multiple experiments established that infection of hop cones by Podosphaera macularis was most severe if inoculation occurred within 15 to 21 days after bloom. This period of infection was associated with the most pronounced reductions in alpha acids, cone color, and accelerated maturation of cones.

Association of Spring Pruning Practices with Severity of Powdery Mildew and Downy Mildew on Hop.

Downy mildew (caused by Pseudoperonospora humuli) and powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera macularis) are important diseases of hop in the Pacific Northwest United States, and cultural practices may affect the severity of both diseases. The association of spring pruning quality and timing with severity of downy mildew and powdery mildew was assessed through analysis of survey data collected from commercial hop yards in Oregon and Washington. Among 149 hop yards surveyed, the most common pruning method was chemical desiccation (48% of yards), mechanical pruning (23%), or a combination of these practices (15%).