Late blight - how to recognize and cure in time

Late blight is a disease transmitted by the late blight fungus (Phytophthora infestans), which spreads through zoospores. Late blight is one of the most dangerous diseases among plants, from which a huge number of different crops suffer.

Plants from the nightshade family, such as eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers, are primarily at risk. But the disease also does not spare many other garden plants, as well as house flowers and trees.

Outbreaks of late blight usually occur in the second half of summer, during the rainy season and cool weather, since dampness is a favorable condition for the growth of the fungus. Plants in the open field are most often infected. Fungal spores are usually found in the soil or other plants in the garden or vegetable garden. Phytophthora infects tubers and roots, as well as fruits, leaves and stems.

Signs of late blight

Brownish-brown spots on the leaf blades, and a whitish bloom. Starting from the leaves, the disease spreads rapidly to the stems and then affects the fruit. As a result, the plant withers and rots.

In order to avoid the appearance of late blight, it is recommended to make a list of various preventive measures against fungal diseases.

Late blight of tomatoes

Disease on tomatoes destroys inflorescences, peduncles and sepals. The progressive disease eventually kills the fetus.

A sign of late blight in tomatoes is all the same brown spots on the leaf plates, with a bloom of white on the underside. White bloom is fungal spores. It is they who infect the plants. The fruits turn black and become unusable.

Preventive measures include: compliance with crop rotation, paying attention to planting - it should not be too dense, moderate watering of the plant, fertilizing with fertilizers based on phosphorus and potassium.

When the infection of the plant has already occurred, the leaves affected by late blight should be cut off and the bush should be treated with chemical agents against fungal plants.

Potato phytophthora

Signs of late blight in potatoes are already known to us dark spots on the leaf plates and white bloom on the inside. The affected fruit becomes covered with gray patches that darken over time and become rust-like.

Preventive measures against late blight in potatoes: carefully select tubers for your planting, apply fertilizers from phosphorus and potassium, properly spud potato bushes, dig up tubers, preferably in dry, clear weather.

The infected plant must be treated with such chemical remedies as Oxyhom or Ridomil MC. This is done when the tops are closing and immediately before the beginning of flowering. You need to process it once every 2 weeks.

After the plant has bloomed, it is necessary to start treating it with such a contact fungicide as Cuproxtat and copper oxychloride. During the formation of tubers, you need to treat the plant with Alufit.

Strawberry late blight

With this disease, strawberries first wither and fall off the leaves, then dark spots appear on the peduncles, then the fruits themselves are affected - they become tough, bitterness appears. After which the berry eventually dies off.

For preventive measures, proper watering of the plant is necessary, and adherence to the correct planting schemes, and it is also desirable to use modern fruits.Bordeaux liquid and copper oxychloride help against late blight in strawberries

Phytophthora of apples

Phytophthora in apple trees usually infects the root system. Infected tissue becomes unusually purple-blue, and the core of the tree begins to rot. It is extremely difficult to get rid of phytophthora in an apple tree, it is recommended to dig up a tree to protect nearby healthy plants from disease.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended not to leave fallen leaves and fruits on the ground near the tree near the apple tree, and cracks and damage on the tree must be cleaned and covered with garden varnish.

Buckwheat phytophthora

Phytophthora most often infects buckwheat seedlings. Symptoms of the disease are considered to be white round spots on the stems and leaves, on the underside of the leaf there is a white coating of the fungus. It is recommended to use Oxyhom or Bordeaux liquid against buckwheat late blight.

Phytophthora of citrus plants

In citrus plants infected with late blight, the bark and shoots die off. You can identify it by oval-shaped spots on the central part of the leaf. There is also a light bloom on the bottom.

Chemical preparations against late blight in citrus fruits: Profit, Ordan and Albit.

Late blight in violets

In violets, the development of this disease can be seen in the discoloration of the leaves, as well as the weak growth of the plant itself. If treatment is not started on time, the plant dies. It is quite difficult to get rid of late blight in Saintpaulia (violets); it would be most correct to isolate the diseased plant from the healthy ones. Infection usually occurs in humid, poorly ventilated areas.

How to get rid of late blight in the greenhouse and outdoors

Prevention of late blight

Pay attention to the quality of the soil in which the plant is planted; it is advisable to treat the soil with special means before planting.

Remember that disease in plants is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, do not forget to pay great attention to precisely preventive measures against late blight and other diseases in plants. Observe the crop rotation, watch the planting density, do not plant them too close to each other. Track and remove infected plant parts in time, trying to prevent the spread of the disease to nearby healthy bushes. Apply the correct fertilizer. All these tips and safety measures will help you keep your crops rich and healthy!

Late blight photo