Parsley and Cilantro Disease Control

Parsley and Cilantro Disease Control Evonne Gong

NOTES: For the disease control products listed below, one product trade name and formulation are provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, preharvest interval (PHI), restricted entry interval (REI), and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 26 and Fungicides and Bactericides Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients.

The symbol OG   indicates a product is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as approved for use in organic production. See Organic Certification section for more detail.

Bacterial leaf spot of cilantro (Pseudomonas syringae pv coriandricola)

The initial symptoms of bacterial leaf spot are dark, water-soaked, vein-delimited spots on leaves. The spots rapidly turn dark brown in color, remain angular in shape, and can be seen from both top and bottom sides of leaves. If disease symptoms are severe, the foliage can take on a blighted appearance when leaf spots coalesce. The disease progresses rapidly during wet weather. Cilantro crops with significant amounts of this disease will be unmarketable. The causal bacterium is host specific to cilantro and does not infect celery or parsley. The pathogen is seedborne in cilantro. Thus, infested seed is the primary means by which the pathogen gets into the cilantro production system. The bacterium can also survive many years in the soil as an opportunistic bacterium. If bacterial leaf spot has been a problem, rotate out of cilantro for several years. Use management practices that promote airflow and do not work in this crop when wet. 

  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747 (DoubleNickel 55)OG: 0.25 to 3.0 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4, Group BM02. See label for application methods, rates, and restrictions. 
  • basic copper sulfate (Cuprofix Ultra 40 Disperss): 2.0 lbs/A (parsley); 1.3lbs/A (cilantro); REI 48h, Group M01. See label for phytotoxicity restrictions. Do not apply more than once every 10 days. 

Powdery Mildew (Leveillula lanuginosa)

Disease development is favored by high humidity, moderate temperatures, and drought stress. Rain or overhead irrigation reduces disease severity. The pathogen can survive between crop cycles. Control wild and volunteer Apiaceous plants. Maintain adequate fertilizer and irrigation programs to ensure plant health. Drought stress may be lessened with mulching. Use resistant cultivars when available.

  • fluopyram (Velum Prime): PHI 0d, REI 12h, Group 7. See label for application rates and restrictions.
  • fluxapyroxad plus pyraclostrobin (Merivon Xemium): 4.0 to 11.0 fl oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Groups 7 & 11. Labeled for parsley.
  • Reynoutria sachalinensis extract (Regalia) OG: PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group P05. See label for rates, application methods and restrictions.
  • Streptomyces lydicus strain WYEC 108 (Actinovate AG) OG: PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group BM02. See label for application rates. Apply to foliage with spreader-sticker for best results.
  • Swinglea glutinosa extract (EcoSwing) OG: PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group BM02. May be used in enclosed spaces. See label for application rates and restrictions.

Root rot (Pythium and Phytophthora spp.)

These pathogens are soil-borne and cause severe symptoms in cold, wet soils. Look for collapsed plants shortly after emergence. Provide good soil drainage and reduce soil compaction. Raised beds may be useful.

  • mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold SL): 1.0 to 2.0 pt/A; PHI 21d, REI 48h, Group 4. May be used pre-plant or as soil spray (see label). 
  • Trichoderma asperellum (ICC 012) plus T. gamsii (ICC 080) (Bio-Tam 2.0) OG: See label for application rates; REI 4h, Group BM02. See label for in-furrow, drench, and broadcast application instructions.

Septoria blight (Septoria petroselini)

Severe disease outbreaks can significantly reduce crop quality. Symptoms appear as small lesions with small black specks in the center. The pathogen is seedborne and highly favored by rain and overhead irrigation. Start with certified, disease-free seed or treat seed with hot water or fungicides. Inspect transplants before setting in the field and destroy infected plants. Rotate to crops outside of the Apiaceae family. Plant sequential plantings as far apart from one another as possible. Incorporate plant residues promptly after harvest.

  • cyprodinil (Switch 62.5 WG): 11.0 to 14.0 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Groups 9 & 12. Labeled for cilantro. 
  • penthiopyrad (Fontelis): 14.0 to 24.0 fl oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12h, Group 7. 
  • pydiflumetofen plus fludioxonil (Miravis Prime): 9.2 to 13.4 fl oz/A, PHI 0d, REI 12h, Groups 7 & 12. See label for application restrictions.
  • pyraclostrobin (Cabrio EG): 12.0 to 16.0 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Group 11. Labeled for parsley. 

White Mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)

Start with certified seed that is free from sclerotia of the pathogen. Infected plants will wilt and a white, cottony fungal mass can often be observed near the soil line. Rotate with non-host plants. Irrigate in the morning to promote drying of soil and foliage. This pathogen thrives in 50-70 ˚C temperatures and cool, damp conditions. Ten or more days of wet soil promotes infection. Soil sterilization with heat, chemicals, steam, or by biofumigation with brassica crops can reduce, but not eliminate, sclerotia.

  • Trichoderma asperellum (ICC 012) plus T. gamsii (ICC 080) (Bio-Tam 2.0) OG: See label for application rates; REI 4h, Group BM02. See label for in-furrow, drench, and broadcast application instructions.
     
Disease Control