Powdery mildew is caused by ectoparasitic fungi of the order Erysiphales, which develop primarily on the surface of leaves, shoots, and fruits. The initial white web-like coating eventually densifies into "powdery" cushions, upon which fungal fruiting bodies may form as dark spots. As a result of the infection, tissues turn yellow and become necrotic, fruits may crack, and leaves drop prematurely.
The intensity of disease development depends on a complex of factors: high relative humidity, moderate temperatures, the presence of dense canopy, and excessive nitrogen nutrition. Risks increase with alternating dry and wet weather. The harmfulness of the disease is expressed in a reduction of the leaf assimilation area, deterioration of crop quality, and a decrease in the general winter hardiness of crops.
Assessment of variety resistance is conducted under field conditions at various stages of vegetation, most often during the full heading phase. To classify the degree of infection, scoring systems or intensity scales in percentages are used, where varieties with up to 10% infection are considered highly resistant (R), 11 to 40% as moderately resistant (M), and more than 41% as susceptible (S). Variety resistance is ensured by genetic mechanisms that prevent colonization by the pathogen or limit the development of its mycelium.