Potatoes are very popular among even the most sophisticated gourmets. And although this is a simple vegetable that is not uncommon, it also cannot always please summer residents, since it is attacked by diseases that can significantly reduce yields.
The most common potato diseases and methods of dealing with them
Further, we will talk about the most common diseases and pests that they like to profit from potatoes and how to quickly and easily get rid of them.
Late blight
Late blight is one of the most insidious diseases, which can destroy 15% of the total potato crop.
Its appearance is caused by lower fungi such as oomycetes. If microorganisms are present in the soil, then the likelihood of contracting this disease is very high.
In addition, such mushrooms are very fond of moisture, because summer rain and temperatures over 15 degrees will perfectly help their spread.
It is not at all difficult to detect signs of late blight, since the leaves begin to turn black, and from below you can see white spores on them, which indicates the presence of fungi.
The difficulty is that wind and rainwater can easily spread these spores on the field. The tubers turn black and pose a great threat to neighboring bushes.
To avoid infection, you must adhere to the following precautions:
- potatoes should be planted in the same place for no more than 3 consecutive years;
- it is better to land on a plain, as well as in a sunny and well-ventilated place;
- should keep the distance between the bushes;
- do not plant already affected seeds;
- before planting, the potatoes must be thoroughly dried in the fresh air at a temperature of 18 degrees for 2 weeks;
- so that the tubers are resistant to disease, they are processed Immunocytophyte or Agatom-25K.
Common types of scab
Potatoes also suffer from 3 types of scab: black, powdery and silvery.
Black scab
As it is also called rosoctoniasis, it can cause a lot of trouble for summer residents. The disease affects tubers and tops.
In the early stages, scab can stop growth potatoes, and over time, the culture will die altogether. The disease manifests itself in the form of black spots that resemble sores.
Excellent conditions for the development of black scab are high humidity and an air temperature of at least 18 degrees.
How to get rid of rosoctonia disease, you will be prompted by the following tips:
- do not plant infected tubers in the ground;
- do not sow in the same place for several years in a row.
- if the soil is affected by black scab, then it should process the planting material with Prestige or Maxim.
Powdery
Also infects leaves and tubers. Red sores can be seen on the potatoes, which eventually destroy the plant. The disease is transmitted by air or through humus, or chicken droppings.
To combat this ailment, a special solution is used, for the preparation of which they take:
- 10 liters of water;
- 3% bleach;
- 5% copper sulfate.
For watering use 300 ml for each bush.
Silvery
An insidious disease that can dry out the stem or the tuber itself. It manifests itself in the form of silvery spots that can cover almost 50% of the surface.
A disease that suits a temperature of at least 3 degrees Celsius and an air humidity of at least 80%. And the spores live in tubers for a very long time, since they can easily tolerate even cold.
In the fight against this disease, tools such as:
- Maxim, they are treated with tubers 3 days before planting and dried thoroughly in the sun.
- Quadris, which is applied to the plant just before planting.
L-virus
The L virus is one of the most insidious viruses, affecting about 30% of the potato crop. There are 2 ways of transmission of the virus: aphids and contact with infected plants.
The symptoms of the disease depend on the variety and growing conditions. This can often be wrinkling, blemishes, or leaf dieback.
To eliminate the virus, you must:
- do not use infected tubers as planting material;
- to conduct a continuous fight against aphids and cicadas, in which such means as Aktara and Karate Zeon.
Wireworm
The wireworm, the larva of the click beetle, is no less troublesome for gardeners. In April, the beetle makes its flight and lays eggs in the soil, therefore there is no place that would not be affected by it. However, it is imperative to control its population, otherwise it can lead to disastrous results.
Potatoes affected by the wireworm cannot be stored for a long time, since it will quickly start to rot.
A favorite habitat for the wireworm is the rhizome of wheatgrass, dense thickets and acidic soil.
To reduce the population of these beetles, the following rules should be followed:
- it is necessary to change the landing site every 3 years;
- in spring and autumn, you should dig up the soil to kill the larvae;
- do not leave tops and tubers for the winter on the site, as they will help the wireworm and larvae to endure the winter well;
- plants should be planted in the garden that perfectly scare away these beetles. These include marigolds, which emit a hateful smell for the wireworm and legumes, in the rhizomes of which there are bacteria, which secrete nitrogen, which is terrible for the beetle.
- You can also use the folk method. For this, 100 g of celandine is insisted for 3 days in 10 liters of water, and then the bushes are watered.
Also, to get rid of the wireworm will help all kinds of bait:
- On 1 m2, you should dig in a jar, on the bottom of which you put cut potatoes. Beetles will definitely get into it. Just remember to check the jars and kill the bugs every 3 days, as well as change the bait.
- You can also bury the tuber in the ground and set a stick for marking and repeat the above procedure every 3 days.
- In the spring on the site you can cover cellophane and grease it with sugar solution... Beetles will surely flock to the scent and stick to the trap.
Nematode
One of the worst parasites is the nematode. The roundworm, 2.5 cm long, is capable of destroying 80% of the crop. The worms dig into the root of the potato itself and nutrients do not enter the tubers, therefore they grow small or do not form at all.
This worm is able to catch up with real horror on gardeners, since it is practically invulnerable:
- he doesn't care about high or low temperatures;
- he is easy tolerates drought and flood.
- even a lethal dose of radiation for humans is powerless against this worm.
In addition, the parasite is able to multiply very quickly.
It will take decades to get rid of the nematode, and the population can be reduced in 2 years.
In the fight against nematode, the following measures are used:
- Quarantine is announced, and potatoes are not taken out of the region.
- This crop is not planted in the same place for more than 3 consecutive years.
- After 2 years, it is desirable to change the planting material.
- The soil treated with urea.
- Before planting, the tubers are watered with a solution of potassium permanganate, at the rate of 0.5 g per 10 liters of water.
Altenariosis
Symptoms are clearly visible 20 days before flowering, when the leaves are covered with brown spots. As a result of damage, spots are also visible on the tubers.
Alternaria or brown spot affects both tubers and the stem of the plant. Infection occurs through wind, insects and raindrops. Hot and rainy weather is ideal for the spread of this disease.
To prevent disease, tubers are treated with drugs such as Integral or Agat-25... Young shoots are moistened with Bravo.
Blackleg
Black leg is another disease that has pronounced symptoms. With such a defeat:
- leaves turn yellow, curl up and dry up;
- the roots and tops first turn black and then rot;
- they are easy to pull out of the soil.
If the disease progresses rapidly before or during flowering, then tubers will not form.
A rainy summer is a favorable condition for the black leg. Colorado beetles, aphids and cicadas are carriers of this disease.
To combat the black leg, you should adhere to the following precautions:
- do not use infected tubers and soil for planting;
- diseased bushes are pulled out and burned, or buried in 1 meter, sprinkling with bleach.
- harvesting is carried out in dry weather;
- before hiding the crop in the basement, it is well dried;
- the storage is treated with a 3% lime solution;
- processing potatoes before planting also helps a lot Maxim or Fitosporin.
Potato cancer
This is a disease caused by a fungus, in the place where it enters the plant, a growth is formed.
Is carried over disease very easy:
- rain water;
- with a person's shoes;
- various insects;
- if the animal eats the affected plant, then it comes out with the manure and continues its vital activity.
To exterminate this type of mushroom, you must:
- constantly change the planting site of the culture;
- grow cancer-resistant varieties: Early yellow, Savory, Sparkle and many others;
- the tubers are treated with a 1% suspension of the foundation.
Potato pests
The most common pests that do not mind eating potatoes include:
- Colorado potato beetle;
- potato moth;
- bear.
Colorado beetle
Actively destroys the stem, due to which tubers cannot develop normally... It multiplies rapidly; in 1 season, 2 to 3 generations of Colorado beetles are born, which rush to fill their belly.
To exterminate the Colorado beetles, it is imperative to collect both the insects themselves and tear off the leaves with their clutch and throw them into a container filled with kerosene.
Potato moth
Cute white butterfly. Over time, it turns into a caterpillar and gnaws almost all the tuber under the skin itself and leaves its excrement at the same time.
Also she can settle in the stem of plants... It only takes a month for a new generation to appear.
To reduce the number of caterpillars, you must:
- 2 weeks before harvesting, mow the tops;
- use a remedy such as 10% carboros. 90 g of this agent is dissolved in 10 l of water.
Medvedka
Finding her herself is not so easy, since she lives underground, but it is still possible to outwit her.
We get rid of the bear: they set up a simple trap by digging a hole half a meter deep and pouring horse manure into it. Medvedka will certainly want to settle in it to spend the winter. When the cold comes, it is necessary to scatter manure, and find and destroy the insect itself.
You can also water the places of its distribution. 10% karbofos, 50 g diluted in 10 liters of water.
Varieties of potato rot
No less dangerous is a disease called rot. There are several types of rot:
- annular;
- brown bacterial;
- mixed internal;
- wet;
- dry.
Very often there are cases when ring rot and brown rot are confused. Although they are caused by different types of bacteria, similar brown-yellow spots appear on the leaves. However, if the vessels are squeezed, then with ring rot a light yellow mass will appear, and with brown rot, the ring turns brown.
Annular
Doesn't live in soil, she passed on to the next crop through seeds... Also, if you put the affected tubers in storage next to healthy ones, the bacteria will penetrate through scratches or damaged peels.
Brown
May lurk in the soil and wait in the wings to penetrate the damaged tubers.
Mixed internal
Mixed internal rot of potatoes occurs as a result of mechanical or bacterial damage, as well as due to various diseases that initially damaged the tubers. Be responsible for the choice of planting material!
In order to avoid the appearance of all the above types of rot, you should first of all:
- regularly change the planting material;
- change the landing site;
- after harvesting, burn the tops;
- avoid mechanical damage to potatoes.
Wet
Can completely destroy the entire tuber in 15 days... This disease manifests itself during storage. Most often, at the site of mechanical damage, the surface becomes soft and begins to rot.
It is impossible to chemically overcome wet rot. In order not to expose potatoes to this disease, you should:
- dip well-dried tubers into the storage;
- process the cellar with copper sulfate or lime;
- avoid mechanical damage and freezing of tubers.
Dry
Dry rot of potatoes can destroy 20% of the crop... It can affect plants at any time, both during storage and in the soil. Its peculiarity is that it is not treated, but can only hide for a while.
Bushes affected by this disease wither, slow down in growth or disappear altogether.
To avoid its appearance, you must:
- do not overuse fertilizers, as they emit nitrogen, which is beloved by this rot;
- remove tops from the garden;
- change the landing site and planting material.
Potato mosaic
Mosaic is an equally unpleasant disease that is caused by viruses. There are 2 ways this disease is transmitted:
- various insects;
- if you treat an infected plant with a tool, and then apply it to a healthy one, then infection is definitely inevitable.
Particular attention should be paid to wrinkled and striped mosaics.
Wrinkled
It got its name according to the manifested signs of the disease. The leaves begin to wrinkle and curl inward. In addition, diseased cells cannot retain moisture, which is why the most a slight drought leads the plant to death.
Banded Mosaic Virus
More aggressive and can destroy about 90% of the crop. First, stripes appear on the leaf vessels, then the leaves die off, and only a few of them remain on the whole bush. As a result, the tuber stops growing altogether.
There are also methods for dealing with mosaics:
- the virus of this disease dies at 60 degrees;
- infected tubers should not be planted, but easy to see in ultra light;
- sprouted tubers should also be selected, since the sprouts of infected tubers will be weak;
- before planting, seeds should be treated with insecticides.
Potato diseases: classification
All potato diseases are divided into the following groups:
- during storage;
- viral;
- mushroom;
- bacterial;
- non-infectious.
Table 1... Separation of potato diseases by types.
Disease type | Disease |
viral | all kinds of mosaics folded leaves corymbose apex curly dwarfism post wilt |
fungal | Late blight fusarium dry rot black scab |
bacterial | ring rot blackleg wet bacterial rot common scab mixed internal rot |
non-infectious | darkening of the pulp gray spot or melanosis strangulation of tubers heat damage to tubers freezing tubers glandular spot hollowness and deformation of tubers red or blue coloration of the tuber pulp skin mesh |
All these diseases can develop both during the period of potato ripening and during storage.
Why are there brown spots on potatoes?
By cutting the potatoes, brown spots can be observed that will never rot. We answer the question of why this happens - it is gelatinous spotting. Such potatoes simply become hard and starch grains are destroyed in it.
These spots are caused by:
- low humidity;
- heat;
- lack of phosphorus.
Is developing this disease only during growth, when storing potatoes, it freezes.
To prevent this disease from affecting your potatoes, it is necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizers, lime and water the potatoes.
Insecticides
Today there are many insecticidal products that will rid your potatoes of diseases and all sorts of pests. The most effective of them include the following funds:
- Maxim - protects against many diseases, and especially against all sorts of scab and phyto-infection.
- Quadris - a remedy that not only protects against many diseases, but also improves the growth of potatoes.
- Cruiser - excellent protection of tubers from various pests.
- Celeste Top - protects tops and tubers from pests, as well as from fungal diseases.
- Aktara - will provide protection for potatoes for 60 days.
- Force - is aimed at the destruction of wireworms.
- Prestige - protects late varieties from rot, scab and Colorado beetles.
And also such drugs as Imidor, Commander and Tabu should be noted.
As you can see, no matter what disease or pests try to destroy your crop, they will still fail if you properly care for your favorite potatoes. Therefore, fight diseases and pests in time and you will achieve amazing results. Have a nice harvest!