Phytophthora: methods of control and prevention

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Late blight is a formidable fungal disease that affects mainly nightshade (potato, tomato, eggplant, pepper, etc.). It is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, which is brought to the site most often with purchased tubers or seedlings. Heaps of leaves left for the winter can also be sources of infection.

Phytophthora spores, having overwintered, cause disease in new plants. Fighting this infection is very difficult. It's easier to prevent it from developing.

Phytophthora, the methods of combating which consist primarily in prevention, affects plants mainly in the second half of summer. Therefore, it is important not to miss the timing of planting potatoes. The most optimal time is the second decade of April. Before planting, the soil must be loosened. Many summer residents, while laying tubers in the holes, throw a handful of manure there. In this case, it is important to correctly observe the dosage. The fact is that an excess of nitrogen in the soil is one of the main reasons for the development of phytophthora. Therefore, do not fertilize the soil with manure too much.

Some excess of potash and phosphate fertilizers, on the contrary, reduces the riskthe occurrence of a disease such as phytophthora. Methods of dealing with it are quite complex and often ineffective. Therefore, another excellent way to prevent its development can be considered the use of only varieties resistant to it on the site. It can be "tempo", "Gatchinsky", "table 19" and others.

Often late blight on potatoes appears if it has been grown in the same place for several years. In this case, gradually accumulating, the infection significantly reduces the yield. You should also not plant tomatoes next to the potato field. In the latter case, both cultures may suffer. Root crops are necessarily sorted out before planting, rejecting all small, ugly and sick ones. It is best to keep them for another week at a temperature of 16-18 degrees. Celsius. During this period, late blight spots become noticeable, so it will not be difficult to remove diseased tubers.

Potato Phytophthora most often infects it in rainy cool summer seasons. In this case, it is worth reducing the amount of watering. It is very important to remove weeds that weaken plants in time and carry out hilling.

A thick layer of earth above the tubers will prevent fungus spores from branches and leaves from penetrating them.

If, nevertheless, phytophthora has touched your crops, you have a lot of hard work to do. First of all, it is necessary to remove all infected stems and leaves. Then the potatoes are treated with fungicide preparations. Also not badBordeaux liquid copes with this disease. However, it is best to use new tools. The fact is that phytophthora, the methods of combating which also involve the use of copper-containing drugs, mutates very quickly and adapts to all chemicals applied to it.

In some cases, environmentally friendly microbiological agents of the new generation will also be useful. The principle of their action is extremely simple: the bacteria included in their composition are activated when they enter the water, and when the solution is applied to the branches and stems, they begin to destroy the fungus. With rainwater, they penetrate the soil, helping to cleanse the disease and tubers. Thus, it is possible to cope with the disease "phytophthora". Methods of dealing with it with chemicals, of course, can be considered more radical. However, the use of microbiological agents will make it possible to obtain a crop uncontaminated with harmful compounds. In this case, the decision remains with the owners of the site.