Diseases and pests of potato: description and methods of treatment

It is not enough to choose a tasty and popular variety of potatoes for harvest. In this case, there are no trifles. Improper soil preparation, the selection of poor-quality seeds, disturbances in the care - all this can cause the development of diseases and the appearance of pests on the potato field.

One of the most common diseases of potatoes is late blight (late blight). It usually appears with increasing humidity, no air circulation. Defeat begins with the leaves, gradually spreading to the tubers. As a result, the disease begins to cover all new bushes, threatening to destroy the entire crop.

The source is wind-borne conidia spores. Getting on the foliage, they form a whitish bloom, then brown stripes are formed on the sheets. After a while they crawl into a dry spot. When it rains, spores wash away from the leaves, and they fall into the soil. Begins defeat tubers.

Infection can occur when using diseased seed. The latter, incidentally, can "pick up" disputes in contact with potato tops during harvest. As a result, seeds with late blight give sick bushes that infect others.

Knowing the mechanisms of late blight, it is easy to assume that the preparation of the soil, proper care and careful selection of seed material can reduce the risk of disease. Do not rush to planting potatoes. If you do it too soon, the risk of developing the disease increases. It is important to regularly produce hilling. Even a small local lesion sheet can quickly move to the tubers, if they will act above the surface.

During the flowering period, Ridomil potatoes should be sprayed with a 1% solution. The affected sheets should be removed and removed from the site. If it is impossible to cope with the disease, it is better to remove the entire bush to prevent infection of the rest. The latter need to be preventively sprayed, and the infected well must be disinfected.

Scab is a disease of tubers, due to which ulcers form on their surface, merging together. It is clear that such a root crop is not suitable for storage, and the violation of the integrity of the skin causes it to rot and penetrate into the infection.

There are several varieties of it:

The disease affects the tubers, which appear sores. They can merge, forming a spot and covering an increasingly large part of the potato. In some cases, ulcers are shown on stolons, roots of plants. The storage of such tubers becomes impossible, the starch content is reduced, rot forms.

Infection is transmitted through a spore or diseased planting material. Hot and dry conditions are a stimulus for the spread of the disease.

For this disease is characterized by the appearance of black sores, or sclerotia, on the surface of the tuber. Outwardly, it looks like the potatoes are covered with clumps of dirt. If a seed is infected, it often does not sprout, since the black scab destroys the seedlings. If the growing season is still proceeding, then a stem with a gray-felt bloom appears from the ground. It spreads throughout the site, affecting the rest of the bushes.

Compliance with the principles of crop rotation, monitoring the condition of the seeds, as well as regular weeding and hilling of bushes should again be measures to combat.

The source of this form of scab is a parasite slug, which manifests itself by the appearance of mucus and decay on the roots.By them, the parasite is easy to move and it climbs the bush. Outwardly affected tubers have star-shaped reliefs. Inside they are filled with spores of the fungus, mucus.

This form of the disease is found only on root vegetables, the surface of which is covered with dark brown spots. Such fruits produce a crop, but it will be even more infected. If you store potatoes, then in the spring on its surface silvery stains will be detected, skin deformation is often detected.

Fungal disease is also rot, which can take several forms. Common is brown rot, or macrosporosis. This disease is characteristic of solanaceous crops and manifests itself as brown spots on the leaves, which then turn into drying areas. Brown rot refers to the so-called diseases of tops, it rarely affects the tubers. In this case, depressed brown spots are formed on their surface.

Dry rot, or fusarium, affects the tubers when they are stored, and the aerial part during the growing season. It rises from the lower part of the stem through the fibrous paths, which leads to their blockage. The result - a plant without receiving nutrients, begins to wither and wither.

Signs of fusarium are patches of gray-brown color that spread throughout the root. His skin is wrinkled, and the inside becomes friable, rotten. Potatoes, affected by dry rot, light, devoid of juices. In the future, its surface is covered with spores that spread to the neighboring healthy emerging tubers and tend to climb the stalk.

Initially, the disease always affects the seed, in the risk zone - a root crop damaged by insects or mechanically. Spores can penetrate the storage site and with clods of contaminated land.

Phomosis is another fungal disease of potatoes. It manifests itself by the appearance of dry areas on the foliage of potatoes, which merge together. Spores are formed on their surface, which are transferred by gusts of wind to neighboring plants. Sick bushes wither and wither. On tubers prone to fomose, brown spots are formed with a dry rim, inside which dry patina subsequently form and the potatoes begin to rot. The root crop affected by fomosis cannot be saved, it rots completely.

A common disease is ring rot, the source of infection of which is poor-quality seed. One of the ways of infection - from tops to tuber during harvest.

Usually ring rot manifests itself in the period of budding and flowering. During this period, the leaves curl and turn yellow; after a while, a putrid fluid is observed in the thickness of the stolon, the bush begins to die.

Affected tubers can be detected by cutting them. Around the perimeter of the cut point a brownish-yellowish rim is found. When pressed in this place is yellow mucus, consisting of pathogenic bacteria.

In addition to fungal diseases, there are viral. As a rule, their carriers are insects (aphid, cicada, bedbugs). One of the most famous viral diseases of potatoes is mosaic. The name is due to the appearance of the affected leaves - light areas appear on the dark surface of the leaf. Sheet becomes motley. Especially brightly the disease manifests itself during the flowering period of the bush.

A variation of the mosaic is tobacco, which is characterized by wrinkling of leaves, their twisting. At the same time, the stalk becomes thinner, depressed, but remains rigid.

Striped mosaic is characterized by the appearance of first black dots, and then stripes, which are dead tissue. Such leaves begin to fall off, and the trunk of the bush gradually turns black.

With this disease, the virus descends through the vessels to the tubers, remaining in them until the next spring. The use of affected planting material is fraught with infection next year. Obviously, prevention measures are a thorough inspection of the seeds before planting.

Most of the pests are hidden in the ground, so careful and proper preparation of the soil is one of the effective preventive measures in combating them. Careful digging of the soil with the removal of the pests and their larvae, crop residues and tops allows several times to reduce the number of parasites. It is also recommended to change the place of sowing of the potato field annually in order to reduce the likelihood of a crop disease characteristic of solanaceous diseases and to avoid a decrease in yield and chopping of potatoes.

Another method to protect the crop - carefully select planting material. For example, nematodes make their way into potato tubers, wintering there. When planting, they leave the tuber, move to the stem of a bush, and then destroy the emerging crop. A sign of the disease is a short and thick stalk. Tubers affected by the nematode, have a dark patina, in this place the skin peels off, the flesh becomes loose.

Finally, the proper and regular care of the culture is important. Favorable conditions for nematode appearance are high humidity and temperature.

The Colorado potato beetle is one of the main enemies of a good harvest not only of potatoes, but also of other solanaceous - tomatoes, peppers, eggplants.

Adults have an ovoid shape, a convex back and a flat bottom. Even far from potato cultivation, people recognize the pest by the characteristic black stripes on the back. There are 10 of them, and the size of the insect reaches 6-8 mm.

The lifespan of a pest is 2 years, that is, 2 seasons. They overwinter in soils, remaining in the nightshade, including un harvested tops after harvesting. Spring out of the soil and after a while lay eggs on the bottom of the potato leaf.

Insects overwinter at different depths, which can range from 20 to 80 cm, therefore, the surface is uneven. Accordingly, the laying of eggs takes place unevenly, in connection with which the struggle with them in gardeners is stretched out for a fairly long time.

As long as the potatoes only grow in the soil, and the daytime temperature does not rise too high, the beetles hide in the upper layers and feed poorly. As the temperature rises, their livelihoods become more active, so they attack young shoots. In the same period mating occurs, after which the female lays eggs. In one clutch usually contains from 60 to 90 eggs, for the season the female is able to lay up to 600 eggs.

To deal with clutches is quite simple. Having an orange color, they are clearly visible on the background of green potato sheets. It is enough to crush the eggs, you can even without tearing off the sheet.

If this is not done, then in 5-15 days (depending on the climate, first of all, temperature), the larvae will appear. They also have a bright orange color, black head color and stripes of the same color on the sides. Outwardly resemble small worms.

After another 6-10 days, the larvae pupate and the young beetle attacks the potatoes. You can recognize it by the lighter color of the stripes.He also begins to actively eat the culture and mate, after which the females lay eggs again. The life cycle of the progenitors of the "new" beetles is completed by the fall, and the second generation is already spending the winter.

Wireworm is a small worms, externally similar to a piece of wire. They are the larvae of the click beetle. During the growing season, the wireworms eat the root system, causing the potato to die. In addition, the larvae gnaw through the tubers moves, which makes it impossible to store it, and also becomes the cause of defeat rot.

Measures of prevention are autumnal deep digging of the soil, weed control (primarily wheat grass), regular harrowing and hilling the field. Do not abuse the fresh manure, which acidifies the soil, thereby creating a favorable environment for the wireworm.

Different rot recommended to treat Bordeaux liquid 1%, arceride. This should be done when detecting the first signs of the disease, and then after 6-8 days.

Knowing the life stages of insects and the characteristics of their vital activity, one can quite successfully repel their attacks. Most gardeners who grow potatoes for personal consumption prefer to minimize the use of insecticides and control pests manually. It is best to collect them in warm weather, when most of the beetles and larvae overlook the bushes.

With a large area of ​​the field, as well as the absence of time for the constant collection of beetles, you can use insecticides ("Karate", "Sumi-alpha"). It is necessary to carry out the first procedure in the period when the size of the larvae will be 2-3 mm. The second spraying is repeated after 10-12 days, with both procedures aimed at the destruction of both larvae and adults.

If we talk about the biological preparations used in the fight against the Colorado potato beetle, then the positive feedback from gardeners will be Colorado, Bicol, Fitoverm. The first can be used immediately after flowering, and then again after 5-7 days. Typically, 150 mg of Colorado is required to be diluted in 10 liters of water. The death of the larvae due to the fact that after processing they are unable to eat.

"Fitoverm" acts like the "Colorado", penetrating through the shell of the larva and damaging its intestines. It is effective at the appearance of the first individuals, the death of which occurs in 3-5 days. Since the drug does not affect the eggs, secondary treatment will be required 12-15 days after the first.

A similar mechanism of action is characterized by "Agravertin", which, however, can be used at lower - up to +12 degrees, temperatures. "Fitoverm" is suitable for use only in warm, dry weather at a temperature not lower than +18.

Biologically active drugs are effective with a small spread of the pest, affect the eggs and larvae. With mass distribution will help only chemical preparations of a stronger effect. There are many of them, among those that have won the confidence of gardeners - fungicides "Tsimbush", "Confidor", "Regent", "Mospilan".

Along with store preparations, popular methods of pest control do not lose their relevance. One of the easiest is to use bait traps. For catching the Colorado potato beetle, it is necessary to dig a can into the ground so that its neck remains on the surface. The bank should be filled with slices of potatoes soaked in 10% carbamine solution for at least 3 hours. It is recommended to change the bait every 2-3 days. Eating a poisoned root leads to the death of a beetle.

In the fight against wireworms and nematodes, you can use slices of potatoes, planted on a stick or dipped in a jar. Sticks and banks dig in the ground. A few days later, they are retrieved, lined or filled with pests. It remains only to destroy them and replace the bait.

Wood ash is used from the Colorado potato beetle. She put in the hole, sprinkled it with young shoots. It is noteworthy that in this case, the ash also acts as a potash fertilizer that promotes better fruiting. It is important to use a clean, no ash impurities. The one that remains after burning polyethylene or plastic will not work.

The infusion of leaves and rhizomes of wormwood, burdock is also widely used. It is prepared by cutting finely raw materials and filling it with boiling water. Grass and roots should be about 1/3 of a 10-liter bucket, the rest of the capacity is filled with boiling water. Infusion time - at least 3 hours, after which the infusion should be drained and used.

From the phytophthora and powdery mildew in the early stages will help iodine (2 g per 10 liters of water). You can use and ready iodine supplements and drugs. Copper sulphate has a similar effect. By the way, solutions based on these components can be used to disinfect tubers before planting.

Interestingly, the Colorado beetles themselves can be a raw material for the infusion. It will take about a liter jar of adults, which are filled with 20 liters of water. Infusion time - about a week in a dark place. Ready infusion need to be diluted with water in the ratio of 1: 3. It can not be stored for a long time, you need to use as ready.

In the fight against wireworm, nitrogenous fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate, have proven to be effective. For spraying, dilute 15–20 g of nitre to 10 liters of water. However, nitrogen-containing fertilizers contribute to increasing the green mass of the bush, which is bad for yield. In this regard, such solutions can be used only until the bush blossoms.

It is impossible to get rid of pests and diseases forever, but it is possible to protect the culture from mass destruction by observing the described complexes for preparing soil and seed material by alternating folk remedies and using fungicides, observing the rules of care.

When an affected bush is found, it is necessary not only to treat it, but also to treat other plants for the purpose of prevention.

When spraying bushes against late blight, it should be done 2-3 times every 5-8 days. If it was raining after spraying, repeat the procedure.

Using insecticides of chemical genesis, it is important to remember that the last procedure should be carried out no later than 20-25 days before harvesting. If we are talking about biological analogues, it is permissible to reduce this period to 5-7 days. Chemical insecticides are undesirable during the flowering period of the bush.

It is important to follow the instructions given by the manufacturer of specialized tools. Excessive concentrations of the latter can kill the plant and further cause poisoning.

When choosing between folk remedies and chemicals, you should consider the nature of the lesion. It is unlikely that the "grandfathers" methods will bring the desired effect in the event of a massive destruction of plants or the attack of pests. At the same time, it is unwise to use strong chemical insecticides, finding the first signs of the disease or several insects.

The smaller the solution drops, the more qualitatively and fully they will cover the leaves. Therefore, it is better to poison pests and eliminate diseases using special equipment. A warm, clear, windless day is suitable for treatment. The optimal time is before 10 am and after 6 pm. The leaves should be dry, and the weather forecast does not foresee precipitation in the next 2-3 days.

During work you must take care of personal protection - ideally you should use gloves, a respirator, goggles and a suit.

In most cases, it will take 3-4 procedures every 10-14 days. It is desirable to use different drugs, as the Colorado potato beetle and its larvae quickly adapt to the poisons used. It is useless to use first chemical and then biological preparations. The pest will be immune to them. The sequence must be reversed.

In addition to spraying and using traps, folk practice suggests planting certain plants (with a specific smell) around the perimeter and in the aisle of a potato field. So, chicory, calendula and marigold scare nematodes, and tansy, elderberry and wormwood - insects that carry a viral infection.

The Colorado potato beetle does not tolerate the aromas of onions and garlic, which can be grown between the rows. Onions and garlic heads, cut into pieces, can be dredged between rows of potatoes, and a small amount of onion peel to put in each well at the time of planting. Horseradish, mint, thyme, tansy and phacelia will also be effective "repellers". The latter also attracts bees to the site, which has a beneficial effect on pollination of many garden crops.

To fight the wireworm, you can grow legumes near potatoes. In addition, the larvae do not tolerate the smell of dahlias, and the latter also inhibit wheatgrass (wheatgrass - weed, often becoming a source of infection with wireworm).

Mustard also helps to fight pests and weeds. It is sown in the fall, after harvest and soil preparation. By spring, it turns into straw, which is not removed before planting tubers. Re-sowing produced at the time of the first potato shoots.

To date, there are no varieties that are completely resistant to common diseases. So, for example, the early ripe drought-resistant potato “Alena” demonstrates resistance to the appearance of scab, potato cancer, but it is susceptible to phytophthora.

Immunity to scab and phytophthora has an early maturing variety of Snow White, which summer residents love for high yields and excellent taste qualities of these oblong light tubers.

The Belarusian variety Lasok is not afraid of most diseases, and its leaves are almost not eaten by Colorado beetles - they don’t like them.

Another "top" grade - "Resource". It demonstrates resistance to most fungal and viral diseases, unpretentious care. Tastes are average.

In regions where late blight is often found, it is wise to use special varieties that are immune to the disease. These include the very early “Spring”, the dry-proof “Blue”, the democratic “Nevsky” and the elite “Red Scarlet”.

Not afraid of nematodes and rot potato "Lazurite", which gives abundant early harvest. "Rosinka" also shows resistance directly to a complex of diseases - rot, cancer, as well as nematodes. The average resistance of this variety to scab and fitoftor.

If we talk about resistance to the effects of pests, while the breeders have found a way to resist the nematode. Such varieties as Pushkin, Symphony, Zavorovsky, Fresco, Zhukovsky Early, Rozhdestvensky have immunity to this pest.

For information on what are the diseases of the potato and the measures to combat them, see the video below.