All about ascochitis

Ascochitis is a disease that many summer residents face. To protect plants, you need to know which drugs and folk remedies are considered effective against the disease.

Ascochitosis appears most often on the following types of crops:

• flax;
• on beets;
• on tomatoes;
• on iris;
• on sunflower;
• in legumes;
• at the acacia;
• on rice;
• to hell;
• on raspberries;
• on alfalfa.

The list of crops that can affect ascochitis also includes chickpeas and honeysuckle.

In the description of the disease, it is indicated that it is very easy to determine the degree of infection by the root system. It darkens and dies. Due to such serious damage, the entire plant dies over time. It is not difficult to see spots on tubers.

The germ leaves are primarily infected. Their color changes, they become very pale, as if they were burned by the sun. It is possible to determine the presence of the disease by the spots on the surface of the leaves. They are yellow at first, then turn to dark gray, grow rapidly in size and soon occupy most of the leaves. If you do nothing, then the leaves will begin to dry and crumble.

When high humidity appears on the spots, brown or black dots can be seen - these are the so-called bodies of the fungal pathogen. Not often, small pink seals appear on the leaves.

The stem suffers from the base. Damp spots are formed on it, which in appearance are very similar to a rotting wound. When the air temperature rises, they dry out, the color changes to a lighter one. With an increase in the percentage of moisture, black pycnidia are formed.

Ascochitis is caused by various types of fungi. Their distinctive feature is that they quickly and easily adapt to external conditions. The worst thing is that these pathogens can infect a plant at different stages of its growth, including seedlings.

In the middle of the spot, cell death occurs, hence the dark border, which remains on the foliage.

On the stems, the disease is more pronounced. The fungus develops especially actively in the place of branching. If this is a young shoot, then a longitudinal stripe is often observed on it. This is the area where the tissue has cracked and split. When the trunk is already stiff, then spots and ulcers are observed.

The fungus also affects flowers with equal success. At first, the signs can be seen on single copies, then on almost all, if the gardener does not make any effort. Such inflorescences do not bear fruit, they wither slowly, and then crumble.

The root system of the plant begins to rot from ascochitis, but this occurs already at the last stage. The seeds also suffer - they practically do not ripen, they grow small.

As with most fungal diseases, high humidity is the main reason why you have to face the problem. With prolonged presence of moisture, and especially dew drops, on the leaves at an ambient temperature of no more than 25 ° C, ascochitis begins.

Constant rains are the most favorable time. With the onset of drought, the development of the disease may slow down, but only until the next rain. The disease completely disappears when the air temperature reaches 35 ° C.

The tool the grower uses also causes the disease to spread to healthy plants. Spores are carried by the wind or with pests.

The main foci of the disease:

• the remains of last year's harvest that lie on the ground;
• dense planting in soil with a high nitrogen content;
• weed thickets.

Ascochitis spotting in peas, soybeans, hydrangeas and tomatoes is easily treated with fungicides.

• Among the most frequently used is "Rovral"... It is easy to find in the market. Fungicide can be applied to soil, seeds, or sprayed on plants. For 1 liter of water add 1 gram of the drug.
• No less effective measure against fungus on chrysanthemums, apple trees and potatoes is Topaz. It is best used at the very beginning, when the first signs appear. 10 liters of water will require 2 ml of the product. Processing is carried out twice, the second one a week after the first. 3-4 spraying may be required per season, it all depends on the crop.
• Topsin M helps to fight the disease on zucchini and clover. The solution is prepared at 0.2%. The soil is subject to processing, where the crop is planted.
• "Fundazol" also proved its effectiveness quite well. It has a high antifungal activity. The active ingredients penetrate the plant system through the foliage and root system. The working dose of the drug is 10 grams, which are diluted in a 10-liter bucket of water.
• Biofungicide "Vitaplan" is quite good, which contains beneficial bacteria. 10 liters of water will require 5 g of the drug. When completely dissolved, there should be no sediment at the bottom.
• Means of the same group - "Trichocin SP"... They disinfect the soil at the landing site. This should be done after the harvest has been harvested. For 10 liters of water - 6 grams of the product.

From folk remedies, chalk and charcoal have proven themselves well against ascochitis. They will need to sprinkle the wounds formed on the plant.

Prevention reduces the likelihood of having to deal with the disease.

• Experts advise to subject the seeds to heat treatment... To do this, you need to take water with a temperature of 30 ° C and soak the planting material in it for 5 hours.
• If the culture grows in a greenhouse, then as a preventive measure it is required reduce the level of humidity inside.
• When the first symptoms appear, fungicides should be used. The longer you pull with the treatment, the more difficult it is to get rid of the problem later.

For ascochitis of Chickpea, see below.