The most common pests and diseases of peas, as well as effective methods for preventing and getting rid of them

Peas are a frost-resistant crop that does not require much effort when grown in a garden bed or on a windowsill. But even this plant quite often encounters various diseases and pests.

In this article we will discuss signs of pest damage (with photos), pea diseases and measures to combat them. We will also share with you tips on prevention methods.

Pea diseases

Let's look at the most popular diseases that summer residents may encounter when growing peas.

Fusarium root rot

Fusarium root rot is a fungal disease. It is caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium. These fungi reproduce and develop in the soil, so Fusarium infection of peas mainly occurs through the soil.

The disease occurs during prolonged cool weather and high humidity.

At the same time, plants are most affected by Fusarium root rot in hot and dry weather.

1. Signs. Fusarium root rot primarily affects pea roots. First, the root and lower part of the stem turn brown, after which the entire plant gradually withers. The disease destroys the root system, it darkens and becomes loose. Sick peas can be easily removed from the ground.
2. Treatment. At the first signs of the appearance of fusarium root rot, crops must be treated with fungicides (for example, Kolosal Pro).
3. Prevention. The main thing is to follow the rules of crop rotation.Peas cannot be returned to their previous planting site for 4-6 years. Before planting, it is better to germinate the peas thoroughly.

The soil needs to be deeply tilled before planting. If sowing times are observed correctly, disease can be avoided.

Drinking root rot

Another type of root rot is drinking rot. It is caused by fungi of the genus Pythium. Drinking root rot is thought to promote the development of other types of root rot in the soil.

Drinking mushrooms are most active in early spring, when the soil has not yet warmed up. The mycelium develops most actively at temperatures from +6 to +10 degrees, and the development of the mushrooms themselves occurs at temperatures from +1 to +30°C.

1. Signs. The germinating seeds and roots of the plant simply rot. The areas affected by the disease become brown and soft. The plant is withering.
2. Treatment. Fungicides also help against drinking root rot (for example, “Homosil” - has a long-term therapeutic and preventive effect).
3. Prevention. Soil care. When developing a bed, it is necessary to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Also, when growing peas, use only high-quality, healthy, processed seeds.

Gray rot

gray rot peas caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. The disease develops at high air humidity and large amounts of precipitation.

Infection occurs through the soil or when growing peas from previously infected seeds (in this case, the mycelium is stored directly in the grains).

1. Signs. The most characteristic signs of pea infection with gray rot are a thick gray coating on the flowers and pods of the plant. The pods also turn brown towards the base and the affected areas increase in size.
2. Treatment. To treat peas from gray rot, the following fungicidal solutions are most often used: “Strobi”, “Khranitel”, “Chistotsvet”, “Diskor” and others.
3. Prevention. Correct crop rotation, control of aphids on plants. The garden bed should be watered moderately.

White rot

White rot of peas is caused by the fungus Peronospora manshurica Sydow. Infection, like gray mold, occurs through an infected soil, or when the mycelium is preserved in the seeds.

Favorable conditions for the development of white rot are coolness and high humidity.

1. Signs. The affected areas of the plant first become brown in color and then become covered with white mycelium, similar to cotton wool. The plant withers and dies.
2. Treatment. Recently, a biological product has appeared designed to disinfect soil from many fungal diseases - Trichoderma verde.
3. Prevention. It is necessary to follow the rules of crop rotation, use fungicides for seed germination and soil treatment, and also destroy plant residues with biological products.

Rust

Another fungal disease of legumes is rust. The spores of the dioecious fungus are carried by the wind and, when they land on peas, infect them. The disease develops in warm and humid weather.

1. Signs. Rust mainly affects the stem and leaves, less often the pods. Brown pustules appear on diseased areas. With severe infection, the leaves turn completely yellow and gradually dry out.
2. Treatment. Rust is treated with approved fungicides. For example, the already known to us “Strobi” and “Homosilom”.
3. Prevention. Early sowing and use of pea seeds early ripening varieties, killing weeds and treating the plant with fungicides.

Powdery mildew

Fungal diseases of peas also include powdery mildew. It develops at an average temperature of 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, 70-80% humidity and little rainfall.

1. Signs. The first signs of powdery mildew appear on the lower leaves and stem of peas with a barely noticeable white coating, similar to a cobweb. As the disease progresses, the number of affected areas increases, plaque becomes noticeable, and the leaves and stem turn yellow and dry out.
2. Treatment. To treat powdery mildew in peas, use approved fungicides or 1% Bordeaux mixture.
3. Prevention. Compliance with the rules of crop rotation, deep digging of the soil. Be sure to destroy plant debris in the fall on which fungal spores can overwinter.

Downy mildew

Downy mildew, or downy mildew, develops with high air humidity and dense sowing.

The disease is transmitted through contaminated seeds and plant debris.

1. Signs. Downy mildew manifests itself in the form of a gray-purple coating on the underside of the leaves. Over time, these spots turn brown and the affected leaves dry out and fall off.
2. Treatment. At the first signs of downy mildew, peas are sprayed with 1% Bordeaux mixture. Green leaves are dusted with lime.
3. Prevention. Use only healthy seeds of early ripening varieties for planting, early sowing and timely weeding.

Ascochyta blight

Pea ascochyta blight is transmitted in the same way. This disease develops with large amounts of precipitation and an average temperature of 20-25 degrees.

1. Signs. Ascochyta blight affects the entire plant from bottom to top. It appears in the form of dark brown spots, on which small black dots form over time.Often ascochyta blight leads to root rot.
2. Treatment. For treatment, pea seedlings are sprayed with 1% Bordeaux mixture or 0.4% copper oxychloride.
3. Prevention. Prevention of ascochyta blight involves early sowing and choosing early ripening plant varieties. The soil should be dug deep and the rules of crop rotation should be followed.

Bacterial spot

Bacterial spot, or bacteriosis, of peas is spread through contaminated seeds and plant debris.

Occurs in warm and humid weather.

1. Signs. Spots of different shapes and sizes appear on the affected areas. An oily border forms around the spots. Over time, the spots can merge together, affecting larger and larger areas of the plant.
2. Treatment. Use of fungicides (eg Phyton-27).
3. Prevention. Approved fungicides are also suitable for the prevention of bacteriosis. It is worth choosing seeds of bacteriosis-resistant pea varieties for planting and planting only healthy peas.

Deforming mosaic

Deforming mosaic is a viral disease of peas.

The virus is transmitted to healthy plants by pea aphids.

1. Signs. The disease begins with the appearance of light green spots on the leaves, which gradually become transparent. Affected leaves become mottled, wrinkled and curly. The beans are also deformed.
2. Treatment. At the first signs of a deforming mosaic, all pea bushes must be treated with a solution of karbofos (75 g per 10 liters of water). Heavily infected plants must be immediately removed along with the soil.
3. Prevention. Eliminating pea aphids, early sowing, using healthy seeds, disinfecting garden tool blades.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that develops in cool, rainy and windy weather.

Infection occurs through seeds and plant debris.

1. Signs. Brown spots form on leaves, stems and pods. In the center of the spots are orange and red pads with bristles (fungal spores).
2. Treatment. Fungicides – “GreenCure”, “Strobi”, “Homosil”, etc.
3. Prevention. Crop rotation and deep plowing. Infected plant debris must be destroyed immediately.

Pea pests

In addition to fungi, viruses and bacteria, there are many pests among the enemies of peas.

Pea weevil

The pea weevil, or bruchus, is a black beetle with reddish-gray hairs. The weevil flies to peas during flowering and feeds on pollen.

After hatching from the egg, the larva penetrates the pea and feeds on it.

Deliverance. To rid peas of weevil, gardeners use insecticides.

Prevention. Early sowing of peas of early ripening varieties. Careful selection of healthy grains for cultivation (affected peas float in a 3% solution of table salt).

Pea moth

The pea moth is a butterfly that lays eggs during the flowering of peas. The caterpillar hatches, enters the bean and feeds on the peas.

Deliverance. You can get rid of the codling moth by treating the bush with powder made from tobacco, ash or celandine. Insecticide "Bi-58" or "Lannat".

Prevention. Early sowing of early ripening pea varieties, deep digging of the soil. Loosening to destroy codling moth pupae.

Pea aphid

Aphids are bright green bugs that move to peas at the end of May. Sucks juice from leaves, stems, flowers and beans.

Deliverance. Spraying peas with Fury, Iskra, Fastak and other insecticides. Harvesting can be done no earlier than 10 days after treatment.

Prevention. Early sowing of early ripening pea varieties. Destruction of wild legumes.

Pea cutworm

The armyworm is another butterfly whose striped caterpillar feeds on plant leaves, primarily peas.

Deliverance. Treatment of plants with insecticides: “Bi-58”, “Karate Zeon”, “Pirinex”.

Prevention. Cultivation, autumn plowing (digging of soil in the fall with removal of weeds and application of fertilizers), destruction of weeds.

Nodule weevil

The root weevil is a soil-dwelling beetle that is active in warm weather. Its larvae feed on pea roots, and the beetle itself eats seedlings in the spring.

Deliverance. Pollination of seedlings with karbofos. They also use tobacco dust, ash, and dust from marigold plant residues.

Prevention. Early sowing of peas in well-developed soil. Removing pea crops from other legumes.

Bean moth

Firefly is a butterfly. Its caterpillars attack beans and damage pea seeds.

Deliverance. Insecticides and biological pesticides will help in the fight against moth.

Prevention. Early sowing of peas of early ripening varieties. Deep digging of the soil. Planting away from forest belts with white and yellow acacia.

Umbrella psyllid

The umbrella psyllid is a small green insect with transparent wings. Its larvae damage various plants, including peas.

Deliverance. The infected plant must be sprayed with tobacco decoction.

Prevention. Correct crop rotation, fungicide treatment, deep plowing, growing peas only from healthy seeds.

Worms

Worms in pea beans are pea weevil larvae. Fighting them is no different from fighting an adult insect.

General recommendations for protecting peas from pests

As you can see, most often early sowing, the use of early ripening varieties and deep digging of the soil help protect against pests and diseases of peas.

It is worth paying attention to the seeds - Their correct selection will help to avoid damage to peas by several types of pests and diseases at once.

Important! You can replant peas in the same place only after 4-6 years.

Gardeners often do not know how to treat peas against diseases and pests. In the article we have listed the main effective means. Try using special solutions, fertilizers, as well as traditional methods of prevention to combat pests and diseases of peas.

Conclusion

Peas are often damaged by pests and diseases. However, when choosing the right variety, correct selection of seeds, timely planting with the right cultures and due care you can grow healthy and delicious harvest. It can be used both for food and for replanting.

Do not miss the deadline for sowing seeds, be sure to select and disinfect them before planting, monitor the growth of plants and take control measures as alarming signs appear. Have a nice pea harvest!