Powdery mildew on currants control measures

Powdery mildew on currants: control measures

Powdery mildew on currants is the name of a fungal infection that poses a real threat to the currant crop (as well as other berry crops, such as gooseberries). However, do not despair, it is quite possible to defeat this trouble using modern bio and chemical preparations, or folk methods of struggle. But it is better, of course, not to allow the appearance of this disease on your site at all, for this you need to follow certain principles of planting and caring for plants, as well as carry out prevention.

Powdery mildew on currants: a description of the problem

Powdery mildew is the popular name for a fungal disease caused by a microscopic fungus called Sphaerotheca mors-uvae. The causative agent of this disease is activated in mid-spring (in April or May), when, after the winter "rest" spent on the shoots and buds of a currant bush, microscopic spores of this fungus are spread everywhere by the wind. Further, in the presence of suitable weather conditions (moderate heat and high humidity) at the beginning of summer, mycelium begins to develop from these spores. The risk of developing this disease increases if your currants have been infested with aphids, caterpillars, or other pests that damage the foliage. Too close "neighborhood" of plantings inside the garden will also be a favorable factor for the development of powdery mildew.

Powdery mildew on currants: symptoms

The main symptoms indicating powdery mildew damage become obvious from the very name of the disease - this is the appearance of a white bloom, with a characteristic flour structure, as well as moistening of currant leaves. White pigmentation also appears on the shoots and currant ovaries. These white spots are nothing more than the mycelium of the fungus, as if collected from many thin threads.

With the course of the disease, the white pigmentation turns into gray, becomes denser. Under the influence of this infection, the leaves of the currant are deformed, the berries also acquire a white bloom. But these are only the most noticeable external signs of the disease. Powdery mildew affects all external parts of the bush: the growing branches of currants of the first year of life, as well as the ovaries, also appear white bloom, as a result of this, the once fresh shoots acquire an unnatural black color and, ultimately, dry out. Damaged leaves also dry out. The bush stops developing.

Those berries that have managed to form are also completely covered with mycelium, and become unsuitable for consumption, since they can cause severe allergic reactions. The not yet developed years fall away from the bush. Bushes noticeably damaged by the disease will not be able to return to normal life without the necessary treatment.

It is worth noting that black currant is most susceptible to powdery mildew disease, and without taking the necessary measures, you can lose almost the entire crop.

Powdery mildew on currants: combating the disease

There are two main methods of fighting powdery mildew: using biological or chemical agents.

The use of biologicals to combat powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is a very rapidly developing disease, you need to start fighting it when the very first signs are found, and even better - before any signs are detected, at the stage of budding.

The action of biological products is based on the content of natural (natural) enemies of certain diseases in them, they do not harm either the environment or the plant itself. However, with a strong spread of infection, the use of biofungicides may no longer have a significant effect on it.

However, the following biological agents are used to combat powdery mildew.

Trichodermin. It is able to stop the growth of mycelium, as well as additionally add nutrients to the soil. To prepare a working solution, take 200 g of powder in a bucket of water obtained by the agent, treat the affected currants, planting material, as well as the soil around the bushes.

Fitosporin-M. It is effective when there are primary signs of infection. For the treatment of bushes, a solution prepared from 5 g of the drug and a bucket of water is used. The processing of the bushes is carried out two times: when the buds open, and then when the ovaries form.

The use of chemicals

Copper (or iron) vitriol. Dissolve 100 g of copper (300 g of iron) vitriol in a bucket of water, mix well, then filter. The resulting solution is sprayed on the stems, as well as the soil around the currants during the period of bud opening.

"Topaz". It inhibits the development of mycelium, stopping its reproduction. To prepare the working solution, take 2 ml of the drug and a bucket of water. Processing can be carried out twice - for prevention purposes, as well as at the first manifestations of infection.

Fundazol. Not only has medicinal properties, but also protects against the further appearance of the disease, stopping the development of the mycelium. To prepare the solution, take 10 g of the product and a bucket of water. Currants are processed before bud break, as well as after picking berries.

Powdery mildew on currants: folk methods of combating the disease

To combat powdery mildew, you can use the time-tested "old-fashioned" methods.

Wood ash. Take 2-3 kg of wood ash in a bucket of water, boil for half an hour. Then add the grated laundry soap (30-40g). The solution is cooled and sprayed on the bushes.

Milk serum. The method is not effective in rainy weather, so it is worth waiting for sunny days. The serum is diluted with water in a 1: 2 ratio and the affected plants are sprayed several times a week. Milk whey covers the leaves and berries of the currant with a film, which protects the currant from the development of the disease.

Baking soda. The currants are treated with a solution prepared from 2 tablespoons of soda, a bucket of water and 1 tablespoon of grated laundry soap. The treatment is carried out when the initial symptoms of infection appear.

Powdery mildew on currants: preventive control measures

In order to then painfully not fight the manifestations of a harmful infection, you can try to take some preventive measures.

1.Try to plant currant varieties on your site that are relatively resistant to disease. "Relatively", because under a certain set of circumstances, any varieties can be subject to disease. But still, such varieties as: "Charm»; «Selechenskaya"; Kupalinka; "Raisin"; «titania»; "Dobrynya"; "Exotic"; "summer resident»Less susceptible to diseases.

2. Before planting seedlings, be sure to visually check their condition for various diseases. If you have even the slightest doubt about the health of the planting material, it is better to refuse to plant such specimens.

3. Be sure to process your garden tools after trimming the bushes, preferably with rubbing alcohol.

4. For planting currants, choose areas that are well lit, not too wet, well, but not overly fertilized.

five.Do not over-water the soil with excessive watering, and do not water the bushes from above.

6. Do not thicken the planting, do not compact the planting with gooseberries, do not place beds with cucumbers next to the currants, and do not plant roses next to them.

7. Timely remove all plant residues, because the winter period fungus spores are carried out in them, or on the plants themselves. Leaves fallen from currants, as well as cut shoots, collect and burn away from the site.

8. Weed the bush area regularly during the summer, and dig in the bushes in the fall (but only after harvesting plant waste).

These preventive measures do not directly fight the disease itself, but will help prevent its occurrence.