Production and Dispersal of Conidia of Peronospora pisi on Pea Leaves

The number of crops of conidiophores and conidia of Peronospora pisi produced on a single lesion on leaflets of pea (Pisum sativum L.) was determined both in vitro and in vivo by artificial inoculation. Only two crops were produced in vitro whereas five crops were discerned under in vivo conditions. There was a marked difference in the size of conidiophores and conidia formed under the above two conditions. Temperature had a marked effect on the penetration of pea leaflets by conidial germ tubes of P. pisi. The pathogen penetrated the leaf tissues at 12-14°C in 8.0-8.5 h whereas more time (9.5-16.5 h) was required for penetration at higher temperatures (15-18°C). Use of systemic fungicides has been suggested to control downy mildew of pea because of its capacity to produce more than one crop of propagules on the same lesion. Maximum spore discharge in P. pisi was observed from 9.00 to 15.00 hours. However, presence of light, high temperature, lack of moisture on leaf surface and wind velocity affected spore discharge.