Fungus wilts spirits of basil lovers, farmers

By MICHAEL J. CRUMB Associated Press Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A fungus spreading among the nation's basil crop may leave lovers of Italian and Thai food feeling a bit bland.

Basil downy mildew surfaced in the U.S. around 2007, and is slowly ruining the herb for growers nationwide. Hardest hit areas are on the East Coast, but it also has been found in California.

Francesco DeBaggio of DeBaggio's Herb Farm in Chantilly, Va., says he had to kill his entire crop of about 6,000 plants, a loss of around $18,000.

Cornell University plant pathologist Margaret McGrath says the fungus is worst for home gardeners and herb farmers who may not have access to fungicides used by large commercial growers.

She says gardeners can help control the fungus by spacing plants farther apart and planting them in areas that get more sun.