ASHS 2024 Conference

Downy mildew (DM) of impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), caused by the oomycete, Plasmopara obducens, results in chlorosis, defoliation, and significant crop losses. Current management includes fungicides and genetic resistance. We applied photoperiodic light quality treatments to ‘Accent Premium White’ impatiens from seed sowing until flowering to limit DM and enhance plant quality. Seeds were sown in a greenhouse with a day and night greenhouse air temperature set point of 23 °C and a target daily light integral of 12 mol·m–2·d–1. A truncated 9-h short-day (SD) photoperiod was achieved by opening and closing opaque black cloth over individual greenhouse benches. Supplemental light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures provided 120 µmol·m–2·s–1 at plant height. Each bench was randomly assigned to one of nine discreet photoperiod treatments: 9-h SD (control) or 9-h SD extended by continuous 7-h LED fixtures emitting blue (405 nm), blue (445 nm), green (525 nm), red (660 nm), far-red (730 nm), white fixtures provided 100-nm waveband ratio (%) of 18:38:41:3 blue:green:red:far-red radiation, a screw-in LED flowering lamps provided 100-nm waveband ratio (%) of 7.6:15:72.4:5. Additionally, 6-h intermittent (1900 to 2200 HR and 0300 to 0600 HR) LED fixtures emitting ultraviolet-A (385 nm) were assigned to one bench. The total photon flux density was adjusted to 20 µmol·m–2·s–1 at plant height under black out curtains for each treatment. Impatiens were inoculated 70 days post sowing with a P. obducens sporangial suspension (2.6 to 3 x 105 sporangia·mL–1) until runoff on the abaxial side of the leaves. Afterwards, each plant was placed in a clear plastic bag containing 300 mL of Hoagland Solution (50%) and returned to its respective treatment. After 9-10 days post inoculation, the ratio of diseased leaves to the total leaf number was determined. In the initial experimental trial, control plants exposed to a 9-h SD treatment displayed an average disease incidence of 72.7%, while other treatment groups ranged from 30.6 to 98.3%. In the subsequent trial, control plants exposed to the same 9-hr SD treatment showed an average disease incidence of 42.6%, while other treatment groups ranged from 0 to 59.5%.