Today, for a manufacturer who is seriously engaged in gardening, and in particular apples, the problems of diseases of fruits and trees are very relevant. What are they - common diseases and pests of the apple tree? In this article we will consider the reasons for their appearance, and also try to suggest ways of protection and treatment.
Tree diseases
So - scab. A characteristic sign of the defeat of this disease are spots of olive-brown color, turning into black, which appears on the surface of leaves and on fruit ovaries. As a result, the leaves dry and fall off, and the fruit becomes unusable. At the same time, the frost resistance of the tree is also reduced. The disease is treated by spraying trees and soil in the spring with 7% urea or 10% potassium chloride. Re-treatment should be carried out with 5% urea and 0.5% potassium salt, and after 10-15 days, you need to spray directly the leaves several times more. In the autumn period, it is worthwhile to once again conduct the treatment with the same composition in a concentration of 5%.
The danger that threatens young seedlings is a bacterial or root cancer. This disease is characterized by the formation of brownish growths on the root necks, which gradually darken and harden. Such a formation on the roots can still be very carefully cut, but the affected root neck can no longer be saved. The best protection against such a disease is to prevent the acquisition of already affected plants, because pathogen bacteria can be stored in the soil for many years. But even if the seedlings overtook the disease, when cutting the affected areas, it is necessary to disinfect 1% with copper sulfate for 5 minutes (100 g per 10 liters of water), and then rinse in clean water. To prevent the disease, it is worth making phosphate, potash fertilizers and manure in the soil. Looking ahead, it is worth saying that all diseases and pests of the apple tree affect it less if you properly care for the plants, that is, feed and water in a timely manner, inspect and cut the trees.
Powdery mildew
A disease that occurs due to an excess of moisture in the summer and is characterized by the presence of a grayish-white coating on young shoots and leaves. In this case, the affected shoots dry out, and the leaves begin to curl and fall off.
Rust
It appears immediately after the flowering period by the appearance on the inner side of the leaves of orange-reddish spots with characteristic conical outgrowths. In the presence of severe damage, the leaves fall prematurely, which reduces the frost resistance of the tree.
The main diseases and pests of the apple tree have been described above . I would also like to introduce pests that affect both the fruit and the tree itself.
Hawthorn moth is a small butterfly wintering under fallen deciduous leaves. Caterpillars of hawthorn moth damage apple leaves, eating away the passages in them. To combat moths before flowering, trees need to be sprayed with insecticides. For example, with ash, methathion, nexion, cyanoxm, phosphamide, etc. In the fall, you should clean the fallen leaves and dig the soil.
Hawthorn (large butterfly with bright wings), the caterpillar of which also affects the deciduous cover. Pest control measures are similar to the control of the codling moth. Before the beginning of spring flowering, trees can be sprayed with insecticides: phosphamide, karbofos, ash, metation, etc.
Brown fruit tick affects the stems of the apple tree. In order to combat it, they are also sprayed with oleocoprit or nitrafen. And in the spring, during the appearance of pinkish buds, plants are sprayed with any acaricide.
As you know, many diseases and pests of the apple tree can infect it several times during the season, as their new generations and mutations appear. Therefore, it is advisable to resort to biological control measures, since they are safer than chemical ones. Chemical treatment is best used in emergency cases. This article does not describe all the main pests and diseases of the apple tree, but if you are vigilant and will regularly prevent these parasites, then almost completely eliminate the appearance of others. Have a good harvest!