Reasons for tops drying out and whether potatoes grow after this

It happens that potato tops dry out and wither, but a novice summer resident does not attach any importance to this. But experienced vegetable growers know that this is an alarming symptom. It signals the onset of a disease or attack by pests, as a result of which the plant may die. It is important to urgently understand the reasons for what is happening in order to take the necessary measures in time and save the harvest. From the article you will also learn where to put potato tops after harvesting potatoes.

Potato flowering period and its features

Potato flowering begins 45-60 days after planting. This is an important stage in the development of the plant. But sometimes it refuses to fully bloom, which foreshadows the possible drying of the tops.

The reasons are different:

1. Peduncles were destroyed by pests.
2. Planting was done incorrectly - ungerminated, poor-quality tubers infected with diseases or pests were placed in unheated soil.
3. There are not enough nutrients in the soil.
4. Hot and dry weather is not suitable for flowering.
5. The plant does not bloom due to improper care.

Why do the tops wither and dry out?

There are many reasons why the tops begin to turn yellow and dry long before the harvest begins.

Adverse weather conditions

At the beginning of the growing season, when planting tubers, you need to ensure that the soil is warmed to at least +10°C. In the middle zone, this temperature regime is reached by the end of April - beginning of May.The air should warm up to +15°C. In cold soil, the root crop will take too long to germinate and may become diseased.

In the future, sharp fluctuations in temperature, night frosts, lack or excess of atmospheric moisture can be the reason that the tops begin to turn yellow and wither ahead of time. A strong, healthy plant can turn black overnight if the temperature drops to below zero or cold dew falls, which often happens, especially in northern regions.

Frequent and heavy rains can lead to premature drying and blackening of the foliage on the bush. Stagnation of water in the root system blocks the access of air to them, the plant finds itself in conditions of oxygen starvation and as a result dies.

In hot, dry weather and lack of precipitation, the plant sheds its leaves, trying to reduce the evaporation of moisture from their surface, and during prolonged drought, the potato is left without tops.

Diseases

Most often, drying and death of potato tops are associated with manifestations of fungal, viral or bacterial infections.

Fungal

One of the most common fungal diseases in plants is late blight. The leaves become limp, extensive brown discolorations form on them, which soon turn black and dry out. In the future, tubers are also affected by late blight, and as a result, most of the harvest can be lost.

Important! When the first signs of late blight appear, the infected tops are immediately mowed down and burned.

To prevent such a problem from arising, it is important to pay attention to preventive measures:

1. Germinate tubers in the light before planting, which will lead to rotting of the infected ones and will facilitate their culling.
2. Do not plant potatoes in an area where plants have shown symptoms of late blight. This is especially true for nightshades (tomato and pepper).
3. Choose varieties that are resistant to late blight.
4. Do not plant potatoes too densely.
5. Carry out weeding, hilling and loosening to saturate the root system with oxygen.
6. During the flowering period, treat the plant with copper-containing preparations or “Fitosporin” at a later date.

When small dark spots with a yellow rim appear on potato leaves, Alternaria damage can be suspected. Large spots are caused by macrosporiosis. The dangerous fungal disease fusarium begins with the usual wilting of the upper leaves.

If any signs of disease appear, you can try to save the crop by treating the bushes with Fitosporin. It does not contain hazardous substances and is used at any stage of the growing season.

The most effective method of combating fungal diseases is preventive treatment of tubers before planting with Fitosporin or Baktofit.

Viral

Viral infections are among the most dangerous. Among them there are also those that provoke the death of potato tops, for example, various strains of mosaic: wrinkled, striped, spotted and speckled.

Although the external manifestations of the disease are different, in all cases the affected foliage stops the vegetative process several weeks and even months earlier. As a result, yield loss reaches 30% or more.

Attention! The source of infection may be on the surface of the seed potato or on the body of the insect vector. To prevent the spread of the disease, the infected plant is removed along with the tubers.

Hot, dry weather can encourage the development of PLRV (leaf roll virus), which can kill half the crop. It will be possible to prevent infection if you soak the seed potatoes in a solution of 1.5% boric acid before planting. For additional protection, the drugs “Epin” and “Zircon” are used.

Viral diseases are especially dangerous, because there are no effective means that can protect the plant from them. They can be transmitted through insects and even the gardener's tools.

Bacterial

The bacterial disease blackleg develops immediately after germination. At the same time, the base of the stem rots, the plant lies down, and the leaves turn yellow and curl.

Antibacterial drugs will help fight the disease. Among the folk remedies, the most effective is considered to be treating the contaminated area with a mixture of ash and copper sulfate (for 1 kg of wood ash - 2 tablespoons of copper sulfate).

Bacterial brown rot causes drying of the tops, damage and death of part of the crop. The source of spread is affected seed potatoes. The disease develops very slowly and manifests itself in the second year, when already during flowering the leaves turn yellow, wrinkle and curl.

For prevention, before planting, it is recommended to treat potatoes with Rizoplan. There are no special chemicals to combat the disease during the growing season.

Pests

Colorado beetle - the well-known striped eater of potato tops, which can destroy the crop in a matter of days. As a result, photosynthesis is disrupted, the plant dies, and tubers do not form or grow.

The greatest danger is posed by larvae.Adults survive the winter in the ground at a depth of 30 cm and in the spring lay eggs on the underside of young foliage.

There are a lot of ways to fight, but they are not always effective:

1. Opponents of chemical control agents collect larvae and beetles in a container with a strong solution of table salt.
2. Plants that repel the pest are planted between the rows of potatoes: dill, beans, calendula, nasturtium and marigolds.
3. Spray with infusion of elecampane and celandine.
4. Biological agents are used - “Boverin” and “Bitoxibacillin”.
5. In case of widespread distribution, chemical preparations “Aktara”, “Commander”, “Iskra” are used.

Nematode worms settle in the root system, and their larvae suck the juices from the leaves. As a result, the tops become covered with black dots, turn yellow and dry out, and the tubers stop developing.

The click beetle (wireworm), leafhopper, and potato flea beetle can also cause the tops to dry out.

Important! It is necessary to remember the dangers of toxic drugs for humans and not to carry out treatment at least 20 days before harvesting.

Lack of microelements and poor soil

Potato tops may turn yellow and dry out if there is a shortage of:

• iron - the upper leaves turn yellow;
• magnesium – upper;
• nitrogen, responsible for the development of green mass;
• potassium - the leaves acquire a bronze tint, curl and dry out.

To avoid this, fertilizing with microelements is necessary, spraying with boron is especially useful. This reduces the plant's susceptibility to disease.

You should not overuse fertilizers, as this can lead to a decrease in yield. A month before harvesting potatoes, feeding is stopped.

What to do if the tops wither

If wilting occurs at the end of summer, this is a sign of ripening of the tubers.

When the harvest is still far away, and the tops dry out and turn yellow, we need to look for the causes of the problem and eliminate them so as not to lose the harvest. This is the fight against diseases and pests, feeding plants with useful microelements.

Do potatoes grow after the tops dry out?

In yellowed and withered leaves, the process of photosynthesis (converting solar energy into nutrients for the plant) is impossible, so the growth of tubers stops.

When to dig up potatoes after the tops dry out

In August - September, after the tops dry out, the potatoes stop growing, nutrients accumulate in the tubers, and a thick, durable peel is formed.

The tubers become suitable for long-term storage.

This is interesting:

How to properly trim the tops of potatoes and why it is necessary

Types of potato diggers for mini-tractors, operating principles and selection criteria

Life hacks from experienced farmers: why pick flowers from potatoes and what does it give?

What to do with tops, how to use them

After harvesting, the tops are dried and burned. The resulting ash is used as a fertilizer with a high content of potassium and phosphorus, necessary for any plant.

Attention! Combustion is carried out in designated areas in compliance with all fire safety rules.

You can use the tops as compost. To do this you need:

1. Mow the still green leaves.
2. Place in layers in a compost bin.
3. Treat each layer with a solution of copper sulfate (2-3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water). This is necessary to destroy harmful microorganisms that may be in the tops.
4. Bury the hole and cover it with leaves or sawdust.

Compost will only be safe after 3 years.This period is necessary to stop the activity of fungi that cause late blight.

Tops are used to protect the trunks of fruit trees and berry bushes from frost. To do this, it is laid in a thick layer around the tree trunk.

The resulting pillow: