Content
Strawberry disease brown spot develops when the rules of planting and caring for plants are not followed. The causative agent of the disease prefers dense plantings and high humidity. To combat brown spot, special preparations have been developed. In addition to them, alternative methods are used, which have good efficiency at low cost.
Signs of the disease
Brown spot has the following features:
- the appearance of light spots on the leaves and peduncles, darkening over time;
- the presence of a brown coating on the back of the leaves;
- the number of spots increases over time;
- drying of foliage.
High humidity is the cause of stains. The spread of the disease is carried out by spores of the fungus.
The disease can kill half of the strawberry crop. Berries and stems are not spotted, however, they lack nutrition due to disruption of the photosynthesis process.
Chemical methods
Copper-based products are effective against brown spotting. The drugs must be used strictly in accordance with the instructions. The first treatment is carried out for preventive purposes early in the spring... Some products are allowed to be used during flowering. All treatments are stopped a few weeks before harvest.
Fungicides
To combat brown spot, special agents have been developed that contain copper. When processing strawberries, such preparations are used with care to avoid their accumulation in the berries.
The first procedure is performed in early spring before the strawberry blossoms. Then the treatment is repeated after two weeks. An additional procedure is carried out in the autumn after the harvest.
The following fungicides are used to combat the disease:
- Ordan - contains copper oxychloride, which has a detrimental effect on fungal spores. The components of the preparation penetrate into the deep layers of plants, where they destroy lesions and restore plant tissues. For 5 liters of water, 25 g of Ordan are diluted. The procedure is carried out twice with a break of 7 days.
- Cosside - a preparation based on copper, which remains on the surface of the leaves and does not interfere with the penetration of the fungus. No more than 4 strawberry treatments are carried out per season. The protective properties of Kosayda remain for 14 days after spraying.
- Oxyhom - a fungicide capable of penetrating plant tissues and reducing the activity of the fungus. Oxyhom is allowed to be used during the growing season. For 10 liters of solution, 20 g of powder is enough. Between procedures should elapse from 9 days.
- Ridomil - a tool that can effectively fight spotting and other pathogens. For preparation, a solution of 25 g of the drug is diluted in 10 liters of water. Ridomil is used in strawberry growing season two weeks before picking berries. No more than three treatments are allowed per season.
- Horus - a fungicide with a protective and medicinal effect. The drug is effective in spring and summer. Horus fights fungal diseases even at low temperatures. The tool is most effective when treating young plantings. For 10 liters of water, 2 g of this fungicide is enough.
- Fitosporin - an effective drug with low toxicity. It can be used at any stage of strawberry development.Fitosporin is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20, after which the plants are sprayed. The procedure is repeated after 10 days. With a high degree of damage, the concentration of the drug is 1: 2.
Bordeaux liquid
An effective remedy for spotting is Bordeaux liquid. For its preparation, copper sulfate and quicklime are required. The components are diluted in separate containers.
First, copper sulfate is diluted with a small amount of hot water, then cold water is added to obtain a volume of 5 liters. Lime must be diluted with 5 liters of cold water. Then copper sulfate is carefully poured into the resulting milk of lime.
The Bordeaux liquid treatment is carried out in early spring. The procedure is repeated after picking the berries. When working with the components, care must be taken to avoid contact with the skin and mucous membranes.
Oxychloride
Copper oxychloride is an effective means of combating pathogens of fungal diseases. On its basis, many drugs have been developed - "Blitoks", "Zoltosan", "Cupritox" and others.
The substance is in the form of green crystals, resistant to the effects of the sun, humidity and high temperatures. The product is used to prevent brown spotting of strawberries. Oxychloride has similar properties to Bordeaux liquid, but is easy to prepare.
No more than three strawberry treatments are performed per season. The last procedure is carried out 20 days before picking strawberries. It takes up to 14 days between treatments.
To prepare the solution, 40 g of oxychloride and 10 liters of water are required. Processing is carried out by spraying. The substance has no side effects for plants, however, it requires the use of gloves and other protective equipment.
Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is in the form of a powder or blue crystals. The substance is used for the preparation of Bordeaux liquid. On its basis, aqueous solutions are also prepared for spraying strawberries against brown spot.
When used correctly, vitriol is not dangerous. However, when interacting with it, protective equipment is used and precautions are taken.
The substance is not addictive to strawberries, has no side or any unwanted effects. Vitriol has a superficial effect and does not penetrate into plant tissues.
Vitriol is used in early spring to prevent spotting. The solution is applied by spraying on strawberry bushes. To disinfect seedlings, its roots are dipped into the preparation for 3 minutes, after which they are thoroughly washed with water.
Traditional methods
Folk remedies are safer for humans. They are prepared from available ingredients, so they are not expensive. The action of such drugs is aimed at disinfecting soil and strawberries. Traditional methods of struggle can be used repeatedly during the growing season of strawberries.
Potassium permanganate solution
Potassium permanganate treatment is a common method of combating diseases in strawberries. This substance is commercially available, is not hazardous to use and gives good results against brown spot.
Manganese provides metabolism in plant organisms, as well as the process of photosynthesis, carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Additionally, this element increases the sugar content in strawberries.
For each bush, 2 liters of solution is enough. Additionally, we fight spotting by spraying strawberries. For this, 1 tsp is taken. potassium permanganate on a bucket of water.
Iodine solution
Iodine has good disinfecting properties. On its basis, root feeding and spraying of strawberries from brown spot is carried out. Iodine prevents the spread of fungus on plantings.
Top dressing with iodine performs in early spring. This procedure is especially useful for young plants. The solution requires 10 liters of water and 3 drops of iodine. In autumn, planting is watered with a solution obtained from 10 liters of water and 15 drops of iodine.
Iodine treatment is allowed every 10 days. Before flowering, the plants can be additionally fed with iodine solution.
Work is carried out only in cloudy weather, since iodine can cause leaf burns when exposed to the sun.
Wood ash
Combustion products of wood and plant residues contain phosphorus, calcium and other useful components. An additional effect of using wood ash is protection against diseases and pests.
Ash is applied under each strawberry bush when mulching the soil. The plants are re-fertilized with ash in the fall after pruning.
1 glass of ash is added to 1 liter of water. The remedy is infused for a day. It is then added to a bucket of water and sprayed on the plants.
Onion or garlic infusion
Onion peels contain phytoncides that destroy the fungal environment. Watering with onion peel infusion is used to prevent brown spot and when its first symptoms are detected.
The tool is infused for 2 days, then it is diluted with water in a 1: 2 ratio. The resulting infusion of strawberries is poured under the root or sprayed on the leaf. Several such treatments can be carried out per season.
Instead of onion peel, garlic is used in the amount of 0.1 kg. For infusion, heads, husks, leaves or arrows of garlic are suitable. All components are crushed and filled with hot water. The product must be left for 5 days.
Garlic infusion can be sprayed on strawberries or watering at the root. The tool copes with the causative agent of the disease and can be used to prevent it.
Prevention measures
The following measures will help to avoid the development of the disease:
- timely care for strawberries, destruction of infected bushes;
- choice of lighted places for planting;
- elimination of high humidity due to drip irrigation equipment;
- application of nitrogen fertilizers within the normal range;
- selection of varieties resistant to diseases;
- processing of seedlings and soil before planting;
- ensuring air exchange in strawberries by trimming the leaves;
- soil mulching;
- additional feeding with potassium and phosphorus;
- limited use of nitrogen fertilizers.
Conclusion
Brown spot affects the leaf blade of strawberries, which negatively affects the development of this plant. In the absence of the necessary measures, yield losses reach 50%. Copper-based substances are used to fight the disease. Depending on the type of preparation, processing is carried out in early spring or during the growing season.
Yields positive results strawberry processing folk remedies. They are used to disinfect plants and soil. Proper care will help protect plantings from brown spotting: watering, pruning, fertilizing. Planting material and adult plants are processed.
