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Quick Garden
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Got Mildew? Get Milk!
1 part Milk
9 parts Water
Researchers in South America
discovered a new alternative to
controlling powdery mildew.
Wagner Bettiol, a scientist from
Brazil, found that weekly sprays
of milk controlled powdery mildew
in zucchini just as effectively as
synthetic fungicides such as
fenarimol or benomyl. Not only
was milk found to be effective
at controlling the disease, it also
acted as a foliar fertilizer, boosting
the plant's immune system. In his
experiments with zucchini plants,
Bettiol found that a weekly spray of
milk at a concentration of at least
10% (1 part milk to 9 parts water)
significantly reduced the severity of
powdery mildew infection on plants
by 90%. While some gardeners may
be tempted to increase the concentration
of milk for more control, Bettiol found
that once concentrations rose above
30%, an innocuous fungus began to
grow on the plants. How does milk
control powdery mildew? |
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by: Tinker |
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