### Mint (*Mentha* species)

1.  **Mint Rust** (*Puccinia menthae*)
    *   **Integrated Management Strategies:**
        *   **Cultural & Preventive:** This fungus has a complex life cycle. The most important step is to remove and destroy all above-ground plant material in the fall to eliminate overwintering spores. In spring, inspect the first shoots for systemic infection (pale and distorted) and remove them immediately. Promote good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
        *   **Biological:** There are no widely established biological controls for mint rust.
        *   **Chemical:** Fungicides should be applied at the first sign of disease. Organic options include sulfur-based or neem oil fungicides. Conventional fungicides with active ingredients like myclobutanil or propiconazole are effective but check labels carefully for use on edible mint.

2.  **Powdery Mildew** (*Erysiphe cichoracearum*)
    *   **Integrated Management Strategies:**
        *   **Cultural & Preventive:** Plant in a sunny location with good air movement. Prune and thin dense stands to increase circulation. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which encourages lush, susceptible growth.
        *   **Biological:** Commercially available products containing the bacterium *Bacillus subtilis* can work as a preventative.
        *   **Chemical:** Several products are effective. Organic options include potassium bicarbonate, neem oil, or horticultural oils. Conventional systemic fungicides like myclobutanil are also effective.

3.  **Verticillium Wilt** (*Verticillium dahliae*)
    *   **Integrated Management Strategies:**
        *   **Cultural & Preventive:** There is no cure. The primary strategy is avoidance. Use certified disease-free planting stock (rhizomes). Do not plant mint in areas where other susceptible crops (e.g., potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries) have recently grown. Practice long rotations (5+ years) out of susceptible crops. Solarization can help reduce inoculum in heavily infested soil.
        *   **Biological:** No effective biological controls are available for established infections.
        *   **Chemical:** No fungicides are effective against an active infection. Pre-plant soil fumigation is the only chemical option and is used in commercial production.

4.  **Anthracnose** (*Sphaceloma menthae*)
    *   **Integrated Management Strategies:**
        *   **Cultural & Preventive:** Use disease-free planting material. Remove infected debris. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to reduce leaf wetness periods.
        *   **Biological:** Limited options available.
        *   **Chemical:** Protective fungicide sprays can be used. Copper-based products are an organic option. Conventional fungicides like chlorothalonil (check label for use on mint) may be effective.

5.  **Stem and Stolon Rot** (*Rhizoctonia solani*)
    *   **Integrated Management Strategies:**
        *   **Cultural & Preventive:** Improve soil drainage. Avoid overwatering and dense planting. Rotate crops with non-susceptible plants like corn or small grains.
        *   **Biological:** Biofungicides containing strains of *Trichoderma* can be incorporated into the soil to help suppress *Rhizoctonia*.
        *   **Chemical:** Soil-applied fungicides with active ingredients like azoxystrobin may provide some control, but improving cultural conditions is more sustainable.
