Cucumbers are perfectly cultivated in almost all regions of our country. They are even grown on the windowsill. Fresh aroma and delicate taste complements many dishes. However, not every gardener can boast of a generous harvest; there are many diseases that significantly reduce the fruiting of a plant. Armed with knowledge, it is quite possible to cope with any threats and diseases of cucumbers.
The most common diseases of cucumber in the greenhouse and open field
This article will focus on the diseases of cucumbers. Having information about the signs of a particular infection, you can react faster, thereby localizing the problem at the initial stage.
Delay and wrong actions lead to irreversible results - most of the crop perishes.
The fight against disease begins yet from autumnwhen it's time to prepare the garden for next season. The quality of soil cleaning from plant residues forms the basis of the future harvest.
In addition to following the rules of agricultural technology, it is important to regularly inspect plantscommitting any changes. According to the condition of the leaves, inflorescences and fruits, it is possible to diagnose and take priority measures to localize the affected area.
Brown olive spot (cladosporium)
A fungal disease that spreads to healthy plants from plant debris or due to sudden temperature changes. The development of the fungus is also noted from watering the beds with cold water using sprinkling.
The first signs can be found on leaves and cuttings in the form brown oily spots... Later, the spots are covered and the fruits that penetrate the sores change the dark color to light.
When transplanting seedlings of early varieties or growing a crop from seeds, you should protect the beds with foil or other material for protection against low temperatures. If the climatic features of the region are characterized by high humidity, it is recommended to choose varieties that are resistant to cladosporium.
For the prevention and localization of the affected area, it is necessary to carry out up to 4 treatments of cucumbers a season Bordeaux mixture (copper oxychloride).
Fusarium wilting
The disease more often affects cucumbers grown in a greenhouse.
Symptoms: wilting of the top of the bush and individual leaves... Rotting of the root part of the stem is also observed. The pathogen can be transmitted both through seed and soil, therefore disinfection in this case is an integral part of prevention.
First aid is regulation of irrigation and control of the temperature of the used liquid... In greenhouses, the ventilation system needs to be improved.
Gray rot
Watery spots on the stem, leaves, and even inflorescences signal gray rot. The disease got its name because of the characteristic color of the plaque on the formed spots. The affected flower dies, so it is important to instantly localize the focus, otherwise the crop will be threatened.
At the first sign, it is recommended to treat the plants soda solution (75 gr. soda for a bucket of water). Repeat the procedure every 3 days.
White rot
Recognized white bloom on sheets of greenery. Later, the foliage begins to ache, darkens and crumbles.
Rotting spreads to the stems and fruits, so you should not hesitate with processing.
In a greenhouse, such a problem arises due to insufficient ventilation, in the open field - due to thickening and neighboring weeds.
To stop the development of rot, it is necessary to spray the beds solution of copper sulfate (for 10 liters of water, take 2 g of vitriol and 10 g of urea).
Root rot
The disease can be of fungal or bacterial origin. The reason for the defeat of cucumbers lies in the lack of disinfection of seeds and soil. Saline soil, a sharp temperature drop can provoke the development of the disease. On the roots, the process of reproduction of microorganisms continues even in dry soil, as long as it is warm.
Root Rot Symptoms: wilting of leaves, darkening of the root, destruction of its structure (becomes rotten).
A drug Fitosporin-M is used both as a preventive treatment and to localize the affected area.
Field mosaic
A viral disease often transmitted by weeds. Already on seedlings you can find yellowing leaves curling into a tube... On the stem is observed longitudinal cracking.
It is not worth planting infected shoots, there will be little sense from them, but healthy seedlings will be under threat.
In adult culture, the mosaic is recognized by its characteristic stains on leaves and fruits... Flowers on infected bushes do not set or fall off.
When the first signs are detected, the affected plant fragments should be removed and the bed should be sprayed with preparations: Aktara, Actellic.
Anthracnose
A serious fungal disease that affects not only the tops of the plant, but also the fruits.
At the site of the focus, brown spots, which increase in size and change color to a darker one (up to black). Over time, the speck dries up and disintegrates, as a result of which the leaves become full of holes (as if burnt).
Over time, depressed spots are formed on the greens, immersed in the pulp up to 5 mm. A common cause of plant infection is seeds harvested from infected fruits. Therefore, before planting, it is necessary to disinfect both the seed material and the soil.
After detecting the disease, you need to process the beds Bordeaux mixture, sulfur preparations or Quadris.
Bacteriosis
The disease affects the cotyledons, leaves and fruits, forming on them watery spots... Over time, they turn brown, the leaves dry out and crumble, the fruits become covered with sores.
As a preventive measure, it is recommended to regularly spray young shoots with the drug Hom (for a bucket of water 40 g of the product), a growth stimulant Energen (5 ml per 10 l of water).
Protecting cucumbers from disease
To reduce the risk of developing diseases on cucumbers, it is recommended to observe preventive measures. Among the main ones:
- compliance crop rotation;
- disinfection of seeds (soaking in a solution of potassium permanganate);
- soil disinfection (watering with boiling water, a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate of low concentration);
- sorting seeds before sowing in order to select the healthiest and strongest;
- in the presence of outbreaks of fungal and viral diseases, it is necessary to replace the top layer of the soil (especially important for greenhouses);
- timely weed removalthat create a favorable environment for the development of harmful microorganisms;
- fertilization of the soil and the introduction of fertilizing according to the schedule will strengthen the immunity of the culture, make it invulnerable to infections;
- at the end of the season, all plant residues are removed from the garden, it is in them that the larvae and fungal spores winter.
Periodic spraying of the beds with various means increases the resistance of plants to diseases.
Prevention and treatment with folk remedies
Folk recipes have proven themselves well:
- An infusion of water (1 l) and wood ash (100 g) is left to stand for at least 2 days, after which it is supplemented with household soap (4 g) grated on a fine grater. It will take 2 treatments at intervals of a week. Spray effectively at the first sign of powdery mildew or as a preventive measure.
- Dry plants (nettles, tansy, wormwood) in a total weight of 100 gr. pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew for about 2 hours. Spray cucumbers with filtered liquid at intervals of 7-10 days if powdery mildew is suspected.
- In case of downy mildew, it is recommended to sprinkle with a solution that consists of water (7 l), serum (3 l), vitriol (10 gr.).
- Will scare away pests and get rid of downy mildew treatment of beds garlic tincture (30 grams of chopped garlic is poured into 1 liter of water and allowed to stand for a day, after which another 9 liters of water is added).
- In the fight against root rot, a tool is used that is prepared from the following ingredients: milk (1 l), iodine (30 drops), water (10 l), laundry soap (20 gr.).
- Dusting the soil with wood ash or lime will help to disinfect the garden from harmful microorganisms. It is recommended to carry out procedures once every 10-14 days.
What drugs to spray to fight diseases
When intensive dissemination diseases, it is recommended to resort to more radical treatment measures - the use of special drugs (fungicides). It is only necessary to process and sprinkle cucumbers with them clearly according to the instructions.
Among the popular ones:
- Fitosporin;
- Cuprosat;
- Ridomil Gold;
- Aktara;
- Quadris, etc.
There are a lot of dangers for cucumbers, but most of the problems can be prevented by preventive measures and timely care.
Experienced gardeners have developed many methods of pest and infection control, and willingly share the most effective recipes.