The 1970s were the heyday of research on bedding plants—a time when both interest and innovation blossomed. But since then, a lot has changed! Many new species and cultivars have been introduced, changes in propagation procedures have resulted in more frequent outbreaks of diseases and infestations of insect pests, and the long-distance exchange of plant materials has facilitated worldwide movement of new and sometimes pesticide-resistant pathogens and arthropod pests. Management strategies have changed significantly, as well, and now include enhanced clean stock production for some crops, more rigorous sanitation practices, and applications of improved chemical pesticides and biological controls.

Compendium of Bedding Plant Diseases and Pests summarizes all the latest research-based information about diseases, disorders, and arthropod pests of annuals grown as bedding plants. The information has been compiled by A. R. Chase, Margery L. Daughtrey, and Raymond A. Cloyd. All three authors have worked extensively with the U.S. greenhouse industry for many years and thus provide a well-informed and practical perspective.

The nature of bedding plant production, in which hundreds of species are grown within one operation, makes it extremely challenging to simultaneously manage the many potential pathogens and arthropod pests. Throughout the production cycle, bedding plants are exposed repeatedly to disease-causing microorganisms, insects, and mites. And then these plants are exposed to even more sources of pests and pathogens when they are moved outdoors into landscapes. Anticipating when, where, and why diseases, disorders, and pest infestations can occur on bedding plants is the key to prevention.

Growers and gardeners will find all of this information in Compendium of Bedding Plant Diseases and Pests. The content is organized into these major parts:

• The Introduction provides an overview of the industry and the issues specific to bedding plant production.

• Part I, Infectious Diseases, is divided into sections on diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, nematodes, viroids, and viruses. More than 75 individual diseases are discussed in terms of their distribution, symptoms, causal agent or organism, disease cycle and epidemiology, and management.

• Part II, Abiotic Diseases and Disorders, addresses stress-induced conditions caused by a number of factors, including air pollution, excess and insufficient light, nutritional imbalances, pesticide toxicity, and water imbalances.

• Part III, Arthropod Pests, begins with an overview of production and management topics specific to insects and mites and then addresses 22 important pests in terms of life cycle, damage, and management.

• Three appendixes provide scientific and common names of more than 100 host plants, common names of diseases and their pathogens, and scientific and common names of insect, mite, and mollusk pests. A glossary and an index provide helpful tools for readers of all interest and knowledge levels.

This in-depth content is enhanced by 188 color photographs of symptoms and signs of diseases and disorders and of pests and pest damage. These high-quality photos will provide important aids to scouts, help growers to identify problems early (before they spread), and expedite the findings of diagnosticians. In addition, 24 comprehensive tables distill information on topics such as the effectiveness of pesticides against target pathogens and pests. These tables will serve as handy references to assist readers in disease and pest management.

Compendium of Bedding Plant Diseases and Pests is the most up-to-date and thorough book available regarding diseases, disorders, and arthropod pests of bedding plants. It provides a comprehensive, authoritative resource for a broad range of readers—from diagnosticians, extension plant pathologists, horticulturists, and students to greenhouse and nursery producers, garden center operators, and landscape designers and gardeners. Indeed, any gardener—even a beginner with just a few patio plants—will find this book interesting and informative. Growers will find it indispensable.

• Field representatives and other experts at your organization

• VIP clients/customers in the bedding plants industry

• Colleagues in state and county extension

• Fellow researchers and diagnosticians at your institution

Compendium of Bedding Plant Diseases and Pests

INTRODUCTION

PART I. INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Diseases Caused by Bacteria

Crown Gall

Leaf Spot and Blight Caused by Pseudomonas cichorii

Leaf Spots Caused by Pseudomonas syringae Pathovars

Leafy Gall (Bacterial Fasciation)

Phytoplasma Diseases

Soft Rot Diseases Caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp.

Southern Bacterial Wilt

Diseases Caused by Xanthomonas campestris Pathovars

Bacterial Blight of Matthiola spp.

Bacterial Blight of Geranium

Bacterial Leaf Spot of Ranunculus

Bacterial Leaf Spot and Flower Spot of Zinnia

Disease Caused by Xylella fastidiosa

Diseases Caused by Fungi

Alternaria Leaf Spot

Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Anthracnose of Cyclamen Caused by Cryptocline cyclaminis

Botrytis Blight

Cercospora Leaf Spot of Pansy

Choanephora Wet Rot

Corynespora Leaf Spot

Fairy Ring Leaf Spot

Fusarium Root, Crown, and Stem Rots

Fusarium Crown and Stem Rot of Lisianthus

Vascular Wilts Caused by Fusarium oxysporum

Fusarium Wilt of Cyclamen

Itersonilia Petal Blight of China Aster

Mycocentrospora Leaf Spot of Pansy

Myrothecium Diseases

Phomopsis Stem and Leaf Blight of Lisianthus

Phyllosticta Leaf Spot of Salvia spp.

Powdery Mildew Diseases

Begonia Powdery Mildew

Petunia Powdery Mildews

Verbena Powdery Mildew

Diseases Caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Rhizopus Blight of Gerber Daisy and Vinca

Rust Diseases

Bellis Rust

Brown Rust of Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum White Rust

Geranium Rust

Salvia Rusts

Snapdragon Rust

Disease Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Southern Blight

Disease Caused by Thielaviopsis basicola

Verticillium Wilt

White Smut

Diseases Caused by Oomycetes

Downy Mildews

Downy Mildew on Sweet Alyssum and Stock

Downy Mildew on Coleus

Downy Mildew on Impatiens

Downy Mildew on Pansy and Viola

Downy Mildew on Salvia spp.

Downy Mildew on Snapdragon

Downy Mildew on Verbena< /h5>

Phytophthora Diseases

Diseases Caused by Phytophthora cryptogea

Diseases Caused by Phytophthora drechsleri

Diseases Caused by Phytophthora infestans

Diseases Caused by Phytophthora nicotianae

Diseases Caused by Phytophthora tropicalis and P. capsici

Diseases Caused by Globisporangium, Phytopythium, and Pythium spp.

White Blister Rusts

Diseases Caused by Nematodes

Root-Knot Nematodes

Foliar Nematodes

Diseases Caused by Viroids
Diseases Caused by Viruses

Alternanthera Mosaic

Angelonia Flower Break

Bean Yellow Mosaic

Bidens Mottle

Broad Bean Wilt

Calibrachoa Mottle

Cucumber Mosaic

Dahlia Mosaic

Lisianthus Necrosis

Nemesia Ring Necrosis

Pelargonium Flower Break

Petunia Vein Clearing

Tobacco Mosaic

Tobacco Ringspot

Tobacco Streak

Tomato Spotted Wilt, Impatiens Necrotic Spot, and Other Tospovirus Diseases

Verbena Virus Y

PART II. ABIOTIC DISEASES AND DISORDERS

Air Pollution

Excess or Insufficient Light

Nutritional Imbalances

Nutritional Deficiencies

Excessive Levels of Soluble Salts

Micronutrient Toxicities

Pesticide Toxicity (Phytotoxicity)

Water Imbalances

PART III. ARTHROPOD PESTS

Overview

Seed and Cutting Propagation

Production of Annual Bedding Plants

After Installation into Landscapes

Management Strategies

Arthropod Pests of Bedding Plants

American Serpentine Leafminer

Aphids

Aster Leafhopper

Bandedwinged Whitefly

Broad Mite

Caterpillars

Chilli Thrips

Citrus Mealybug

Cyclamen Mite

Fourlined Plant Bug

Fungus Gnats

Greenhouse Thrips

Greenhouse Whitefly

Japanese Beetle

Potato Leafhopper

Shore Flies

Slugs and Snails

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Sweetpotato Whitefly

Tarnished Plant Bug

Twospotted Spider Mite

Western Flower Thrips

APPENDIXES

Appendix I. Host Plants

Appendix II. Diseases of Bedding Plants

Appendix III. Arthropod Pests of Bedding Plants

GLOSSARY

INDEX

“Readers don’t have to dig for the information; it’s there in table format for them. This is something growers need on their bookshelves.”
—Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University

“This resource contains a fungicide listing where readers can see what products affect a particular pathogen. That’s something that doesn’t exist anywhere else.”
— Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University