All about ascochitosis of cucumbers

One of the most beloved and frequently grown vegetable crops is cucumber. Who among us doesn't like crunching a juicy, fresh and so healthy cucumber? It should be noted that cucumber is one of the most unpretentious vegetables. It is grown to meet their own needs in the garden beds, as well as in greenhouse conditions on an industrial scale.

One of the most dangerous diseases of cucumbers is ascochitis. In this article you will find a description of this disease, we will also tell you how to recognize it in the early stages, why it appears and how to save the plant.

Ascochitosis, which is also called black mycosperellus stem rot, is one of the most dangerous diseases for cucumber. Most often, the disease affects a vegetable that is grown in a greenhouse, but there are exceptions. Why is she scary? First of all, the fact that the pathogenic fungus can be noticed only at a late stage of development.

There are 3 stages of development of ascochitis.

• At the beginning of its journey, the parasite infects the seeds of the cucumber. Rot develops along with its carrier. This means that until the seeds are planted in the ground, the fungus is in a state of suspended animation, hibernation. As soon as they are planted in the ground, ascochitis wakes up. First, it acts on the upper tissue of the vegetable, but the vascular system does not suffer. That is why the plant continues to develop, albeit much more slowly, and retains the ability to grow.
• The second stage begins from the moment when leaves appear on the cucumber... A pronounced ascochitous spotting is visible on them. The pores of the fungus can move to other, still healthy plants.
• The last stage occurs at the end of the growing season.... At the moment, the presence of the disease is pronounced.

The worst thing is that the fruits are also infected. From this it follows that the seeds inside the cucumber will also be sick. And planting the affected material next year will lead to the situation being repeated.

Is it possible to determine that the plant is sick at an early stage? The answer is no. But as it grows, if it is constantly examined, it can be determined that ascochitis is present. This can be understood by some indications.

• The presence of watery spots of a characteristic gray color on the stems of the plant. Over time, they begin to change color, turn white.
• Presence of black rot on thin and weak areas of the stems.
• Modification of leaves... Leaves affected by the fungus turn brown.
• The disease can be determined by looking at the condition of the fetus. Cucumbers can ulcerate and turn white. Or it is possible that the fruit becomes covered with mucus and rots.

If the disease is noticed before it affects the fruit of the plant, its development can be prevented.

In order to know how and what substances to use to fight a disease, you first need to understand what caused it to appear. We have already determined that ascochitosis is a pathogenic fungus that infects the seeds of a crop and only then spreads to the stems and fruits. Here's what contributes to the emergence and development of a microorganism:

• high humidity;
• a large amount of nitrogen in the soil;
• high temperature - for the development of the fungus, it is enough that the air temperature is from + 20 ° C to 25 ° C;
• wind;
• thickened fit;
• a large population of various insect pests;
• using dirty and previously infected equipment when caring for a plant;
• the presence of weeds on the site.

There are several more reasons, the most important ones, that you also need to be aware of.

• The seeds that you use in planting are already infected with a pathogenic fungus.
• The soil in which the planting will be carried out was poorly prepared. This means that diseased plants, the root system of previously affected crops, could remain in the ground.

From the foregoing it follows that it is very important to adhere to all the rules for growing cucumbers.

A plant can be treated for ascochitis by various methods. There are drugs based on aggressive chemicals, biological additives and components. And you can also make treatment with folk remedies. Let's look at all the possible treatment options for cucumber for ascochitis disease.

The most effective and frequently used are several remedies.

• Trichocin SP. It is a soil biological fungicide, the main purpose of which is to reduce the spread of the disease and eliminate the fungus. You need to add the drug to the soil.
• "Topaz"... A very effective chemical. Its use is relevant if the disease was recognized at an early stage, while it has not yet spread to the leaves and fruits. It can be used for both medicinal and prophylactic purposes.
• Topsin M. Effectively copes with most fungal infections, and also protects the plant from insect pests.
• Fundazol... It is characterized by complex action. It is possible to process a plant with it both in the process of treatment and for the prevention of diseases.

Today, many vegetable growers use "Alatarom"... It is very important to carefully read what the manufacturer writes on the packaging before using. Some substances must be introduced into the soil, but others must be mixed with water and sprayed with the resulting solution of the plant. And also do not forget about your own protection, use a protective mask, gloves, glasses during the treatment.

There are other ways to combat rot, which can be called folk remedies.

Method # 1. It is necessary to prepare a solution from the following components:

• laundry soap (grated) - 20 g;
• milk - 1 l;
• iodine - 30 drops.

Method # 2. The main components of the solution are:

• boiling water - 2 liters;
• wood ash - 1 glass;
• grated laundry soap - 10 g.

First you need to mix wood ash and boiling water. The mixture is infused for 48 hours. Then add laundry soap in the right amount and mix well.

Method number 3. You will need 50 grams of chopped garlic and 10 liters of water. To begin with, add garlic in 1 liter of water and infused for 24 hours. After the mixture must be filtered and diluted in the remaining 9 liters of water.

If the pathology appears on the stems, blister and mucous formations should be sprinkled with crushed chalk. If the leaves are already affected, you need to apply copper oxychloride in suspension, boric acid or copper sulfate.

Timely implementation of preventive measures is the key to plant health, a good harvest and its resistance to disease. In order to minimize the risk of ascochitosis, it is necessary to perform the following manipulations when growing cucumbers:

• inspect the plants daily, if infected leaves are found, remove them;
• produce high-quality mulching;
• adhere to the watering schedule, in no case do not flood the plant;
• constantly ventilate the greenhouse so that fresh air gets inside;
• make sure that the plant has enough moisture and heat;
• before planting seeds, the greenhouse must be disinfected; if planting is carried out in open ground, it is advisable to fertilize it;
• during the growing season, fertilizers must also be applied to the soil;
• make sure that weeds do not appear on the territory where cucumbers grow;
• it is imperative to carry out measures to degrease the seeds before planting.

Experts recommend buying only those varieties of cucumber that are characterized by resistance to various diseases, including ascochitosis. This information must be indicated by the manufacturer on the original packaging.

You can find out how to deal with ascochitis on a cucumber from the video below.