White Spots On Parsley Causes And Treatment

Parsley (botanical name Petroselinum crispum) is a flowering plant typically cultivated in Europe and the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the Apiaceae family and is biennial.

The plant has tiny green leaves and soft stems and is usually used as a garnish in European and American cuisines.

Apart from having countless health benefits, Parsley also serves as a beautiful addition to gardens.

Parsley is a sensitive plant, and improper plant care can easily result in the formation of white spots over time.

Why Does My Parsley Have White Spots?

There are several reasons why your Parsley has developed white spots. These include fungal infections like powdery mildew and downy mildew (which cause powdery white spots to aggregate on leaves), viral infections like celery mosaic, and bacterial infections. Other reasons range from pest attacks and insufficient sunlight to weevil eggs on Parsley leaves.

5 Causes of White Spots on Parsley

1. Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is an infection caused by several fungal species. In Parsley, powdery mildew caused by Oidium subgenera Pseudoidium results in white powdery spots on the leaves.

Initial symptoms include chlorosis

These lesions give rise to powdery white spots that gradually spread across the whole plant.

Powdery mildew has higher occurrences during hot summers. The lack of moisture and high levels of humidity encourage the formation of spores. Parsley plants are overcrowded in one place, rid the roots of sufficient breathing space.

Roots lacking aeration are vulnerable to pathogen attack.

2. Downy Fungus Mildew

Downy Fungus Mildew is another fungal infection caused by fungi, which are obligate parasites. They belong to the phylum Oomycota.

The disease is also common in Parsley plants and is caused by the fungal pathogen, Plasmopara petroselini.

This plant disease primarily occurs in cool, humid regions. Soggy, wet leaves are more vulnerable to pathogen attack.

As the infection spreads, small yellow spots appear on the adaxial surfaces of the leaves. Moist winds help to disperse the microscopic spores.

At the underside of Parsley leaves, hyphae’s rapid growth gives way to white mycelium that slowly engulfs the whole plant.

Leaves begin to wither, and necrosis results in the death of different parts of the plant.

3. Celery Mosaic Virus

Another cause of white spots on Parsley is the celery mosaic virus. The virus gets its name from the mosaic of white circles it produces on parsley leaves.

The celery mosaic infection can be identified by stunted growth of plants and spots that initially appear as faint yellow and slowly transition into a pale white color.

The virus is transmitted through aphids, which act as vectors. When aphids infected with the virus feed on Parsley plants, the pathogen is carried to the plant system.

Over time, the symptoms develop, and the infection severely affects the plant’s growth and development.

4. Pest Attack

When pests such as aphids, and whitefly attack the parsley plants, white spots slowly begin to appear on the leaves. These spots can either be an indication of feeding injury or can be the eggs of the pests. thrips

If your plant has dusty leaves, then it may be vulnerable to the attack of mites. Moreover, over-fertilized plants have buds that attract several insects to the plant.

One more cause of numerous white spots on Parsley leaves is the eggs of insects such as the Carrot Weevil.

While the insect hibernates beneath the soil in cold seasons, it is reasonably active during the hot seasons. They reproduce through tiny eggs that appear as white spots to the naked eye.

You can expect to see these spots in June and July when the carrot weevil is in its reproductive stage. The eggs initially appear white and blacken when they are ready to hatch.

5. Bacterial Infection

Cold, humid places encourage the growth of bacteria that cause bacterial leaf spots. These are tiny microscopic organisms that divide rapidly by binary fission at 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit (23-29 degrees Celsius).

If the infection spreads across the entire plant, growth is inhibited.

During the early stages of infection, yellow and black spots aggregate across the mid-rib of the parsley leaves. In older leaves, these spots whiten, and the leaves shrivel up and die.

Five Solutions to White Spots on Parsley Leaves

1. Use of Fungicides

In the previous section, we mentioned fungal infections several times. Fungi constitute the most prominent pathogens that attack Parsley, and hence being aware of treatments against these fungal infections is essential.

In the case of powdery mildew, you should spray your plant with Bordo Mix, commonly available in shops. The fungicide is effective against the fungal pathogen, and if the plant is not wholly infected, it can be saved.

You are required to spray once every week till the white spots disappear, and the plant shows promising signs of recovery.

If your Parsley plant has been infected with downy fungus mildew, try using fungicides containing copper hydroxide. At the same time, do not allow the leaves to remain wet for long periods.

Bacterial infections like bacterial leaf spotting also require treatment with fungicides, mainly having high copper concentrations.

However, before you treat your infected Parsley plants with these fungicides, you must consult a plant specialist. After carefully considering the symptoms, he/she would be able to suggest an appropriate fungicide for the respective condition.

2. Use of Insecticides

If you observe white egg-like structures on the leaves of your Parsley plant, chances are they are weevil eggs.

You can get rid of these eggs by spraying your plant with insecticides, like Azinphos-methyl. Azinphos-methyl is rich in organophosphates and is highly effective if consistently used for thirty days.

3. Soil Drainage and Appropriate Irrigation Methods

Overwatering is one of the common causes of viral and fungal attacks. To avoid wet leaves and soggy soil, adopt better irrigation methods like furrow or drip irrigation.

In this way, your soil will receive sufficient water, and the leaves will remain moderately dry.

Soil drainage helps reduce humidity levels. To make your soil well-drained, you can stuff the soil with organic matter like compost and natural manure.

4. Maintain Proper Sanitation, Aeration, and Plant Hygiene

To prevent future pest attacks, maintaining proper sanitation is crucial. Wipe the leaves of dust and grit, and deeply plow the soil to dig out any insects.

It is equally crucial to make certain that the roots are adequately aerated and have enough breathing space to grow and spread.

5. Dispose of the Plant

Any Parsley plant that has been severely affected by a pest attack is beyond treatment. The only course of action is to dispose of the entire plant.

After uprooting the plant, if mites or other insects persist in the soil and adjoining areas, you can use fire as a means to kill all the pathogens.

Before re-planting a new crop in the same soil, ensure that the entire soil mix is replaced, all pathogens are removed, and the area is adequately cleaned.

Parsley is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. It was even used during the Middle Ages to prevent scurvy. Today, parsley is still used to treat colds, coughs, sore throats, and other respiratory problems.

But did you know that adding parsley to your diet could also help you lose weight? In fact, there are several studies that suggest that eating parsley regularly can help you shed pounds.

Do you have white spots on your parsley in your herb garden? Growing parsley at home is a fantastic idea. The plant’s refreshing flavor and fragrance are absolutely wonderful. Although it is a low-maintenance and fuss-free plant, it might develop issues such as white and light brown patches on the leaves. The causes and treatment of white spots on parsley leaves will be discussed in this article.

White spots on parsley

The first thing that comes into mind when we think about parsley is its fresh green color. But if you look closely, you’ll notice some small white dots or specks scattered all over the leaf surface. These tiny white spots are actually caused by fungal infections called downy mildew.

Downy mildews are microscopic fungi that infect plants through their roots. They cause damage to the cells of the root system, which results in stunted growth. Downy mildew usually attacks young seedlings but may affect older plants too.

If you see these white spots on your parsleys, then you should immediately remove them from your herb garden because they’re not only unsightly but they can also spread disease. White spots on parsley leaves are one of the most prevalent problems. Leaf spots can be caused by a variety of factors, including soil quality, sunlight blocking, fungal and bacterial infection, and so on.

Poor soil

Soil conditions play a major role in determining whether your herbs grow well. If your soil lacks nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, sulfur, sodium, and others, then your herbs won’t thrive. This means that your herbs will produce fewer flowers and fruits than usual.

In addition, poor soil conditions make your herbs more susceptible to pests and diseases. The main and most important cause of parsley leaf spots is poor soil quality. This plant, in general, requires nutrient-rich, wet soil with good drainage. The plant will not flourish if the soil is dry and of poor quality. Several fungal diseases affect the plant when it is coupled with excessive humidity.

Lack of sunlight

Sunlight plays a vital role in growing healthy herbs. Without enough sun exposure, your herbs cannot receive sufficient amounts of vitamin D3, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. Vitamin D deficiency leads to diabetes, osteoporosis, heart failure, cancer, depression, and many other health concerns.

When exposed to direct sunlight, parsley absorbs ultraviolet rays radiation. UV radiation damages DNA molecules inside the cell nucleus, causing mutations. This is the most prevalent blunder, and it results in white dots on the parsley leaves. White spots can appear on any plant, including basil, sage, and mint, due to a lack of sunshine. This is due to a lack of chlorophyll, which is the primary pigment responsible for plants’ green hue.

Powdery mildew

Another common problem affecting parsley is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew appears as whitish fuzz covering the entire leaf surface. It spreads rapidly under humid weather conditions. In fact, it thrives best during rainy seasons.

This fungus grows on both old and new foliage. When infected, the leaves become yellow, and wilting occurs within two weeks. To prevent powdery mildew, keep your parsley away from moist areas where mold spores can easily germinate. Another typical cause of white patches on parsley is powdery mildew. It’s a fungus that affects the plant as a result of high humidity and a lack of moisture. It mostly affects young leaves, which curl as a result of the assault. The white powdery mildew covers the afflicted leaves in general.

Bacterial diseases

Some bacteria attack parsley roots, stems, or leaves. These include soft rot, black root rot, crown gall, and anthracnose. Soft rot causes brown lesions on the stem base and lower part of the stalk. Blackroot rot attacks the roots, resulting in dark discoloration.

Crown gall produces tumors at the junction between the stem and the root. Anthracnose infects the leaves, producing small circular holes. Bacterial issues can also cause white patches on parsley. Diverse bacteria have different ways of attaching to the leaves.

If this is the cause of the white spots on your plant, you may also see brown and tan patches around the border of the leaves. These leaves dry out and become weak, and they may also be plucked by touching them. However, older leaves are more susceptible to bacterial infections than newer leaves. While bacterial infections are a cause for concern, they may be effectively treated with copper fungicide as soon as symptoms appear.

Fungal infections

The following are some fungi that may infect your parsley: Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici, Phytophthora infestans. Gray mold develops into large gray masses on the underside of the leaves. Radicular blight starts out as tiny red bumps on the undersides of the leaves. Late blight begins as water-soaked spots on the leaves.

How to treat white spots on parsley leaves naturally?

There are several natural methods available to treat these problems. You should use one method only if all other treatments fail. If you’re using an organic approach, make sure you follow the guidelines set forth by certified organic growers.

1) Keep your parsley well watered. Watering regularly will help reduce stress on the plant, thus reducing the likelihood of disease development. Also, avoid overwatering because excess water encourages fungal growth.

2) Use a good quality fertilizer. A balanced fertilization program helps promote healthy plants. Make sure you apply enough nutrients so that each cell receives what it needs. This way, there won’t be any nutrient deficiencies.

3) Avoid overfertilizing. Too much nitrogen promotes lush green growth, but too little results in stunted growth. Overly rich soil could lead to pests such as aphids.

4) Apply mulch. Mulching keeps weeds under control while adding extra nutrition to the soil. In addition, it prevents evapotranspiration. Transpiration reduces the amount of oxygen available to the plant. Oxygen deficiency leads to leaf drop.

5) Remove diseased parts. Diseased parts need to be removed immediately. They provide food sources for insects and pathogens.

6) Clean up debris. Debris provides shelter for insect larvae and molds.

Baking soda spray

Mix 1/8 cup baking soda, 2 cups hot tap water, and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap together until smooth. Spray onto affected areas twice weekly. Repeat every two weeks.

Baking soda is one of the most useful substances in the kitchen. It’s good for cooking, cleaning, and, yes, treating white spots on parsley leaves. It’s a fantastic fungicide that’s both natural and non-toxic. It also has no negative impact on soil quality and is completely safe for your health. To make this, combine 14 cups baking soda with one cup of water and stir thoroughly. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and spray the plants on alternate days.

Neem oil

You can mix neem oil, lemon juice, and salt together to create a homemade remedy. Mix equal amounts of neem oil, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl. Stir until blended. Add additional lemon juice or salt depending upon how strong you want the mixture to taste.

The goal here is to have a mild citrus flavor without being overpoweringly sour. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and mist the infected area once per week. For bacterial diseases, neem oil is a fantastic natural and biodegradable substance. It is also safe for both people and animals. Simply spray some of it on the parsley leaves, ideally outside on a sunny day. This treatment should be used every two weeks.

Conclusion

If you’ve tried everything else and still see signs of white spots on parsley, then try out these remedies. These solutions may not work right away, but they’ll certainly give you something to do when nothing else works. Try them at least three times before giving up hope.

I hope this post was useful and informative and helped you with all the food curiosities you were having.