How can gooseberries be treated to remove white plaque on the berries and what is the reason for its appearance?
Gooseberry – winter-hardy, drought-resistant cultivated plant with high yield. However, it is often affected by various diseases. At the beginning of summer, gardeners may notice that the fruits are covered with a white coating. What to do in such cases and how to save the harvest? We will tell you how to correctly diagnose the disease and select effective treatment using chemicals and folk remedies.
Reasons for the appearance of white plaque on berries and leaves
White plaque on the plant is one of the signs of gooseberry disease. This symptom is inherent in spheroteca (powdery mildew) and white spotting at the final stage of development. In both cases, the causative agent of the disease is a fungus.
Spheroteka (powdery mildew) Covers gooseberry shoots and berries with a white felt coating. The berries are severely affected at the beginning of ripening and stop developing. A white coating rarely appears on the leaves; its occurrence is more typical on the currant leaf blade.
Over time, the affected areas become yellow-brown in color, the leaves curl and dry out. The shoots become bent, darken and die.
Disease-resistant varieties: Senator, Grushenka, Kolobok, Rodnik, Lada, Russian.
Septoria blight (white spot) is characterized by the appearance of spots on the leaves. They are usually light in color with a darker border, but can be yellow or grey-brown.As the disease progresses, the spots grow and occupy almost the entire surface of the leaf, and in the middle of them you can see a mycelium with black dots. In the absence of timely treatment, gooseberry septoria is manifested by the following symptoms:
- drying of leaves and their premature shedding;
- drying of the tips of the shoots;
- wrinkling, bending of stems.
The varieties Kooperator, Grushenka, Malachite, Shannon, and Beryl are relatively resistant to septoria.
Both diseases develop due to high air humidity (60-80%) at a temperature of +20...+30°C and non-compliance with agrotechnical requirements. In such weather conditions, it is not recommended to feed gooseberries with nitrogen, since increased growth of the plant will lead to rapid activity of the pathogen.
For reference. TO disease Old, tall varieties of gooseberries, which are often pruned, are more prone.
How to get rid of and how to treat gooseberries from white plaque on the berries
Regardless depending on the type of disease first of all, remove and burn all damaged shoots and berries. To overcome mycelium, comprehensive measures are used, including preventative ones.
In the fall, to prevent the spread of the fungus, shoots are pruned to healthy tissue. The soil under the plantings is regularly dug up, fallen leaves are destroyed, and the soil is loosened.
The fight against spheroteca and septoria is carried out with fungicides. At the early stage of detection of the disease, folk remedies are tried.
Safety precautions during processing
During processing, protective equipment is used. The working solution is prepared in a ventilated place, ideally outdoors. While working with fungicides, smoking, drinking water and food are prohibited. After completing the treatment, take a shower and change clothes.
Important! If the solution gets into your respiratory tract or mouth, consult a doctor immediately.
Fungicides for treating vegetative plants are used before possible infection or immediately after it.
If the recommended doses and proper timing are observed, the preparations are not phytotoxic. The duration of preservation of fungicides on the surface or inside plants depends on the characteristics of the preparations and meteorological conditions after irrigation.
The recommended period for the last treatment of shrubs is 20 days before harvest. After the specified time, the berries can be eaten.
Chemicals and drugs
Treatment with chemicals is carried out in dry, windless weather, early in the morning or late evening, when there is no activity of the sun's rays. Be sure to use protective clothing, a respirator, and gloves. The dosage is strictly observed.
From septoria
At the first signs of infection, all damaged areas are eliminated. Among a large number of drugs, the following have proven themselves in practice.
Bordeaux liquid
It is a mixture of copper sulfate and slaked lime.. For irrigation use 1% and 3% solution. The latter is acceptable for spring treatment, until the buds open. A 1% solution is used in the summer. The product is prohibited for use during the flowering period.
To prepare a 1% solution, 50 g of copper sulfate is diluted in 1 liter of warm water. In another container, mix 1 liter of water and 150 g of lime. Do not use metal containers. The liquid with vitriol is poured into the container with lime in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Add another 3 liters of water, mix and begin irrigation.
The process of preparing a 3% solution is identical, only the number of components increases: copper sulfate - 150 g per 1.5 liters of water, lime - 350 g per 2.5 liters. At the end, add another 1 liter of water so that the finished solution volume at the outlet is 5 liters.
During the period from spring to autumn, the total number of treatments of fruit and berry plants should not exceed 3 times.
For reference. To avoid burning the plants, the solution is checked for acidity with litmus paper or an iron nail. If there is too much copper, the paper will turn red and a reddish coating will appear on the nail. Slaked lime is added to reduce acidity.
To avoid infection, in the spring, before the buds open, the bushes are treated with 1% Nitrophen or copper sulfate.
"Kaptan"
Analogue of Bordeaux mixture. This is a water-wettable powder that suppresses the basic functions of fungi. Compatible with other fungicides, non-phytotoxic.
The therapeutic effect is achieved within 36 hours from the moment of infection by the pathogen. Use the drug strictly according to the instructions. To obtain a 0.3-0.5% suspension, the consumption rate is 30-50 g per 10 liters of water.
"Fthalan"
Low toxicity for humans. Can be used with most fungicides except alkaline ones. For irrigation of fruit and berry crops, a 0.3-0.5% emulsion is used.
For processing, gooseberries are bred similarly to Kaptan.
"Hometzin"
A drug with a reduced level of toxicity. Recommended for processing during the growing season. The working solution is prepared at the rate of 1 packet (40 g) of product per 10 liters of water.
From spheroteca (powdery mildew)
The right choice of product will save the harvest. The most effective representatives of this group are presented below.
"Fundazol"
The versatility of the drug allows it to be used for treating adult plants and treating seeds before landing. Requires caution in use, because the product is highly toxic. However, due to the fact that the drug is not absorbed by leaves and shoots, it does not have a phytotoxic effect.
Not compatible with alkaline solutions. In the first three days after treatment, it suppresses the development of fungi and destroys cells. In the next 7 days it works as a protective agent.
Consumption rate: 10 g per 10 liters of water. Frequency of use – no more than once every 10-12 days. The manufacturer promises an instant effect - 2 hours after irrigation.
"Topaz"
Capable of suppressing mycelial growth 3 hours after initial use. It is recommended to alternate with other fungicides due to the emergence of resistance of fungal infections to the drug.
It is water-resistant, has a prolonged effect, which reduces the load on plants and reduces the number of chemical treatments. Can be used at any stage of the growing season. Consumption rate: 1 ml per 5 liters of water. It is permissible to double the volume when processing large shrubs. Can be used in any weather conditions.
"HOM"
One of the most effective fungicides, an analogue of Bordeaux mixture. It is easily washed off by rain, so it is better to use it during the period of least chance of precipitation. Therapeutic treatment during flowering is carried out in exceptional cases, only in the evening.
It is not recommended to use the product more than 4 times during the growing season. The working solution is prepared according to the following scheme: 40 g per 10 liters of water.
"Previkur Energy"
A complex product that combines the action of a fungicide and a pesticide. Almost completely suppresses pathogens in a short period of time (up to 3 days). Not phytotoxic.Activates the growth processes of the plant and strengthens its mechanism of resistance to infection. Consumption rate: 1.5 ml per 1 liter of water.
Fighting with folk remedies
Folk remedies in the fight against powdery mildew and white spotting are used as part of complex measures; as an independent method they are ineffective.
As an auxiliary treatment, gardeners use:
- Fresh mullein. 1 part mullein is diluted in 3 parts water and allowed to brew for 3-4 days, then filtered and diluted again in a ratio of 1:3. Apply the solution with a broom, not a sprayer, so as not to clog the sprayer.
- Soda Ash. 50 g of sodium carbonate is dissolved in a small amount of water, 10 ml of liquid soap is added and the volume of the solution is adjusted to 10 liters. Treat on the eve of flowering and after it.
- A solution based on sour milk. Whey and kefir are also suitable. The dairy product is diluted with water in the proportion of 1 liter per 9 liters of water. The procedure is carried out 3 times, every 3 days.
- Wood ash. 3 kg of ash is poured into a bucket of hot water. Let it brew for 24 hours and strain. Bushes are treated before and after flowering. Repeat the procedure until the symptoms disappear completely. Processing frequency is once every 7 days.
- "Dangerous mix". 1 aspirin tablet, 1 tsp. liquid soap, 1 tbsp. l. soda and 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil is mixed and diluted with 4-5 liters of water. Treat throughout the entire growing season once every 14 days.
In order to prevent infection of bushes by diseases and pests in early spring, when the snow has not yet melted, the plantings are treated with boiling water using a sprayer.
Conclusion
Spheroteka and septoria are diseases of gooseberries with a white coating on the berries. Treatment is complex and often long-term.These progressive diseases can destroy the entire harvest of even the most prolific gooseberry varieties and require timely detection. Taking care of plantings, preventing diseases and using chemicals for treatment will allow you to get a bountiful harvest every year.