In almost every vegetable garden, pepper is grown along with other popular vegetable crops. Despite abundant fruiting, there is a risk of a decrease or loss of yield due to damage from harmful microorganisms or diseases. You can prevent a problem with the knowledge that will help you recognize the first signs of disease. In this article we will find out why the leaves of peppers can fall off, who is to blame for this and what can be done and how to deal with the scourge.
The main diseases of bell peppers and their treatment at home and in the greenhouse
When growing peppers, special attention is paid to preventive measures. Regular care and inspection of the bushes is necessary for the timely detection of pests or diseases. Affected plants can die for 1-2 weeks if the cause is not identified in time and the treatment is not done... Abundant greenery and a humid environment create favorable conditions for the development of various diseases or insect infestations.
Gardeners put the issue of pest and disease control in pepper in second place after the problem of wilting of the planted seedlings. Therefore, you should not ignore the first signs of damage to a plant or fruit!
Blackleg
The fungal disease develops mainly at the stage of shoot growth, therefore, it is dangerous for seedlings and adult plants grown in greenhouse conditions.
This is due to pathogens of various types that persist in seeds, soil and crop residues. Too dense planting of seedlings and poor-quality aeration, which is more often observed in greenhouses, can provoke the formation of a black leg.
Signs characterizing a fungal disease:
- discoloration of the lower part of the stem to brown;
- decay in a darkened area;
- drying out of the entire bush.
When the first signs of a black leg are found, the following recommendations must be followed:
- at the very beginning of the development of the disease, it is necessary to water the beds with a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- loosen the ground around the bushes;
- spud the root neck of the pepper;
- if the soil surface is too wet, sprinkle the beds with river sand (ash, activated carbon);
- if the disease has affected the seedlings, you should ventilate the room, reduce the amount of watering.
If the black leg has destroyed all the seedlings, then you cannot reuse the soil to grow new seedlings. Harmful microorganisms remain in it, so the seedlings will die over time.
Gray rot
The disease is caused by the development of the fungus Botrytis cinerea. A characteristic feature is the formation of wet brown spots in the lower part of the stem, in the zone of contact with the ground. After a short period of time, a grayish coating appears on the affected area. The active phase of the development of a fungal disease occurs in conditions of high humidity in combination with an air temperature above 20 ° C.
If during the examination the first signs of the disease were revealed, it is necessary to treat the beds with medicinal preparations:
- Fundazol;
- Acrobat Ordan;
- Speed;
- Previkur or others.
Affected plants should be removed from the plantation or transplanted into a separate container.
Lightning-fast bacterial wilting
Disease-causing bacteria with lightning wilt penetrate into the vascular system of the stem, thereby blocking the supply of nutrients. In addition to hunger, the plant is poisoned by toxic substances secreted by bacteria, which leads to the rapid death of the culture. The hallmark of the disease is yellowing spots on the foliage, indicating drying of the plant, as well as a white substance released when the stem is cut.
If signs of wilting are detected, it is recommended to remove the affected plant from the garden. Treat the rest of the bushes with special preparations containing copper.
Late blight
Refers to fungal diseases (fungus Phytophthora infestans) that can destroy the crop of pepper. At an early stage of development, there are signs similar to a black leg. After 2 weeks, brown spots have spread throughout the plant, including the fruit. In dry weather, the leaves quickly dry out and shrivel. The decay process is accelerated at high humidity, so you should not hesitate with processing.
When the first signs are detected, it is necessary to immediately process the beds using special preparations:
- Gamair (for irrigation - 1 tablet for 5 liters of water, for spraying - 2 tablets for 1 liter of water);
- Alirin-B (for irrigation - 2 tablets per bucket of water, for spraying - 2 tablets per 1 liter of water);
- Ridomil Gold (for spraying 10 grams of product for 2 liters of water);
- Fitosporin-M (for spraying 10 grams of powder per 5 liters of water).
On large plantations it is more rational to use more powerful drugs: Bravo, Quadris.
The defeat of pepper by cladosporium: why does it arise and how to spray?
The disease is caused by the development of the fungus Fulvia fulva, more often it affects greenhouse plants grown in high humidity conditions. Brown spotting is transferred by spores that get on the soil, garden tools, clothes, greenhouse surfaces.
Signs of cladosporium:
- brown spots appeared on the outside of the leaves;
- a gray bloom with a velvety effect appears on the outside of the foliage;
- decay of the stem and fruits.
When the first signs are found, treatment should be started immediately:
- reduce the intensity of watering the beds;
- ensure good ventilation of the greenhouse;
- treat the affected plants with special preparations (Zaslon, Barrier).
Fusarium and sclerocinia on seedling leaves
The disease is caused by a fungus (Fusarium), which affects the stem vessels. As a result of the clogging of the ducts in the stem, the access of nutrients and moisture is blocked, the plant begins to die from poisoning with toxins. An abundance of moisture (both in the air and in the soil) can provoke the development of a fungal disease.
In crops susceptible to fusarium, the first signs of the disease are observed at the stage of bud formation.
Signs of the disease:
- the leaves on the pepper begin to curl, wither;
- even with good care, the greens turn yellow;
- the stem at the root part becomes brown;
- the development of rot on the roots, fruits.
Since fusarium is an incurable disease, prevention plays an important role in pepper farming.
Preventive measures at home from fusarium:
- before sowing the seed, it must be treated with Fundazol (100 ml of the product per 10 g of seeds);
- periodically water the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- after harvesting the beds, carefully select the crop residues.
When the first signs of fusarium are found, it is recommended to treat the beds with Fundazol or Topsin-M (0.2%). Drugs are not able to overcome the disease, they only stop the development process.
Disease black bacterial spot
From the moment the seedlings emerge above the ground, the plant can attack the black bacterial spot. The characteristic feature of the disease is dark spots spreading along the stem and leaves. A yellow border is visible on the border with the green part.
Prophylaxis is standard, including the correct choice of the variety and the procedure for disinfecting the soil and seed. It is unlikely that it will be possible to save the affected plant, therefore it is important to immediately remove the diseased bushes in order to prevent the spread of the disease. The place of the extraction must be disinfected.
Pepper bacterial cancer and methods of fighting it
The disease belongs to bacterial, the development is promoted by high humidity and warm weather, as well as the thickening of the beds. A characteristic feature is considered to be dark spots (dots) spreading over the plant, which subsequently combine with each other, forming a large crust. FROMThe middle of the spots has a lighter color, which helps to determine the diagnosis. Small holes may appear.
If signs are detected, it is necessary to spray the culture with copper sulfate or preparations containing copper. The affected bushes should be removed from the garden.
Combating tobacco mosaic
Tobacco mosaic is a viral disease characterized by the penetration of the virus into cells and the destruction of chlorophyll. Due to the death of cells, a marble pattern is formed on the surface of the leaf, which has beige and emerald inclusions.
Disinfection of soil and seedlings before planting, as well as the correct choice of variety, will help prevent the disease.
The virus remains in the ground for 5 years, so it is necessary to carefully remove plant debris from the site at the end of the season.
Pepper pests and how to deal with them
In addition to diseases, pests can also destroy the crop. Aphids are considered one of the most dangerous. Eating on pepper juice, she is able to destroy a bush in a few days, from which leaves and flowers begin to fall off. It spreads quickly in the beds, so you should not hesitate with insecticide treatment. In order for the working solution made from Karbofos or Keltan to stay on the greens longer, you need to supplement it with crushed laundry soap.
The spider mite causes big trouble for gardeners. Located on the bottom of the leaves, it sucks the juice out of the pepper. Immediately after the detection of the parasite, you need to treat the beds with an infusion prepared from a glass of chopped onions (garlic), dandelion leaves and 1 tbsp. l. soap. All ingredients after adding a bucket of water are infused for several hours.
Among other pests of pepper, slugs are naked. They damage greens and fruits, as a result of which rotting begins. You can get rid of them by spraying the plants with Strela (50 grams of powder per bucket of water).
The revealed holes on the leaves indicate the invasion of the Colorado potato beetle. The pest and its larvae are incredibly voracious, so it is important not to waste time and collect insects from the bushes. After collecting, spray the pepper with the Commander preparation (1 ml per bucket of water).
The bear loves to eat leaves too. In the fight against it, the arrangement of traps and the spraying of the smell of kerosene in the places of its accumulation helps.
Processing pepper from pests and diseases with folk remedies at home
You can avoid problems when growing bell peppers if you follow the basic rules of prevention at home.
- When choosing seed or seedlings, preference is given to varieties that are resistant to diseases.
- It is recommended to store seeds in a dry ventilated area.
- Before planting, soil cultivation should be carried out in order to destroy various pathogens and larvae.
- Before planting, the seeds are soaked in a solution of copper sulfate, a weak solution of potassium permanganate or special preparations.
- Every day you need to inspect the beds in order to identify early foci. If necessary, spray or treat plants using selected folk methods.
- Seedlings should be planted with respect to the distance to avoid thickening.
- When watering, monitor the soil moisture level. Excessive moisture provokes the development of fungal diseases.
Armed with knowledge, it is easier for gardeners to protect crops from pests and diseases. One has only to observe consistency in the care of the culture. And then healthy bushes will grow even on the windowsill in the apartment.