Diseases of plants

No agricultural plant is insured against the appearance of diseases. It is much easier to prevent diseases than to fight them later. Diseases of indoor plants lead to a significant loss of their decorative qualities, attractiveness, in some cases, the death of plants. The cause of many diseases is most often the non-observance of the plant growing regime or the mistakes made during care.

To prevent diseases of plants, we suggest that if possible, observe the following preventive rules:

♦ plants must be purchased in special farms or shops;

♦ when buying a plant should be carefully examined and if there are signs of illness not to buy;

♦ when planting plants or transplanting the substrate, we recommend buying in specialized stores;

♦ closely monitor plants, timely carry out care activities. Do not leave on the plant dried flowers and leaves: they are sources of infection;

♦ If your plant is sick or there are signs of severe infection with pests, it must be destroyed.

One of the most common diseases of houseplants, primarily vegetable, is wilting caused by damage to the root system by various microorganisms.

Root rot( vascular disease).

The causative agents are various fungi( phytophthora, fusarium, verticilium and others), which, affecting the root system of plants, cause rapid and massive death. With this disease, plants wither, the petioles of the leaves, and then the leaves themselves become brown and die.

The majority of vegetable plants( cabbage, onion, nightshade and others) are affected.

Control measures. Destruction of diseased leaves and shoots, reduction of air humidity, ventilation of premises. In the extreme case, watering the substrate with fungicidal solutions or their substitutes - solutions of bayleton, topsin, benamyl( 0,1 - 0,2% concentration - 0,2 -0,3 l per plant).

Powdery mildew. A fungal disease affecting the stems, flowers and leaves on which is formed first from the upper side of the leaf, and then from the lower white coating - the sporulation of the fungus. With a strong disease, the leaves are destroyed by the tissues, they lose their green color and gradually die. In the first place powdery mildew affects plants with soft leaves( legumes, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, sweet pepper).

Control measures. With a strong infection, the destruction of diseased leaves. Pollution of ordinary sulfur at an air temperature of +25 - + 30 ° C or treatment with special fungicides( bayleton, saprol, fundazol).Doses and methods of application are indicated in the instructions.

Downy mildew. The disease affects all cruciferous, leafy beet, chard, onions, garlic, cucumbers, zucchini and other crops. On the underside of the leaves a whitish coating appears. The diseased leaves quickly darken, twist, acquiring a brown color. Affected peduncles do not develop at all.

Control measures. At the first signs of the disease, the damaged leaves are destroyed. A good effect is obtained by spraying plants with MN-45 dithan, Bordeaux liquid( 1.5%) or ridomil( 0.4%).

Black fungus( black).With insufficient care, this is one of the most common diseases on subtropical, evergreen and ornamental plants. The causative agent is a fungus of the genus Capnodium. Sign of the disease is the sooty deposits on the leaves and shoots, making it difficult to access light and air in plant tissues. The fungus develops on plants damaged by aphids, worms, whitefly, settling on their sweetish secretions. Great harm causes coffee, tea, all kinds of citrus and many others.

Control measures. Eliminate the above insects, wipe the leaves with a wet tampon with soap or detergent. In severe infection, destroy diseased leaves.

Hibernates fungus in damaged plant organs or on fallen leaves. Favorable conditions for the development of the fungus: the temperature in the rooms, reaching up to +25 - + 2b ° C, and high air humidity. Most often this disease is affected: cabbage, radish, cucumber, zucchini, tomatoes, as well as all subtropical fruit plants.

Control measures. Effective fungicides are saprol, euphoren, benate, topsin.

Black leg. A fungal disease that affects the root of the neck of only the seedlings of vegetable crops that have risen. Also affects seedlings of tea, laurel, feijoa, citrus. As a rule, the lower part of the stem at the root neck is thinned, acquires a black color and rot. The mushroom hibernates in the soil.

Control measures. Etching soil before sowing with a 0.1% base or replacing it. Seedlings should stand in well-ventilated areas. With a strong thickening of the seedlings, it is necessary to thin them and simultaneously reduce the temperature.

Rust. Relatively rarely affects indoor plants. Symptoms of it are small yellow spots on the upper side of the leaves, and on the lower - a rusty-brown pile of spores well visible with a simple eye. Especially dangerous is rust for cucumbers, legumes, as well as ornamental plants. Invisible spores of mushrooms are brought into the apartments by the wind and fall on the underside of the leaves. Rust leads to death of leaves and weakening of affected plants.

Control measures. Defeated parts of the plant to destroy. In hot weather, pollinate plants with non-toxic fungicides( foundation, bayleton).