What is stone fruit moniliosis and how to deal with it?

Maintaining an orchard is a great responsibility and a huge work. Fruit trees can be subject to various diseases, the occurrence of which can be prevented if preventive measures are taken in time or if the first signs of the disease are dealt with. One of the most dangerous tree infections is moniliosis. We will consider its description and methods of dealing with it in this article.

Moniliosis, or monilial burn, is a tree disease caused by the fungus Monilia ascomycete. It appears on stone and pome crops: cherry, apricot, plum, apple and pear, peach and quince. Gardeners of the middle lane faced this problem, but it can also appear in other areas of Russia, where there is a prolonged cold spring and a cool, damp summer.

The defeat of trees begins during the flowering period or at any other time if the tree has small cracks in the bark. This is where the spores of the fungus penetrate. The pathogen is carried in by wind or insect pests.

The main signs of the disease are dark specks on fruits and unexpected drying of foliage in the middle of summer. It can also be white pustules on the petioles and pedicels. Then the fruit begins to actively rot, which means that the fungus has already begun to multiply rapidly. The berries completely rot and hang on the branches, sometimes they can fall off. They also often dry out on wood. Some parts of the tree can be infected, most often from the leeward side. Sometimes you might think that the tree was burned with fire. The fungus spreads instantly and does not spare any crops.

• In pears, moniliosis can be observed in the form of twisting of the leaves, which acquire red spots. This foliage may not fall off, and the fruits begin to rot. With a slight damage to the fruit, they are partially deformed and lose their taste.

• In apple trees, varieties with large fruits are exposed to this disease. Circles appear on them, struck by spores. At the trunk, the bark cracks and peels off, the trunk becomes covered with ulcers and white bloom.

• In the plum, the spores penetrate the cracks in the bark and into the flowers. She can hardly tolerate this disease, since she is almost completely affected.

• In apricots, unripe berries begin to crack right on the branches, some of them fall off. The disease causes severe gum flow, so the resin can flood the fruit.

• In cherry, spores penetrate during the flowering period, regardless of the tree's health.... The defeat develops rapidly and can proceed in a latent form. The foliage becomes covered with red dots, then dries up. Flowers wither before they form an ovary. At the last stage, the branches dry out, and the tree is covered with sclerotia. The fruits rot and crack, and have a sour taste.

In order to overcome this ailment, various means are used, one of which is bordeaux liquid... It is a common fungicide against fungal diseases. They spray the affected tree, and already 2 hours after the procedure, a protective process is activated, which lasts about 50 days. The treatment is repeated during the growing season, after flowering, and then every week.

The use of this liquid not only kills the fungus, but also improves the quality and stability of the fruit during storage. The mixture contains a solution of calcium hydroxide and sulfate, which contains suspended copper hydroxide. The mechanism of action of this agent occurs at the cellular level.

Among the chemical effective drugs can be identified "Fitolavin", which is used both for the treatment and for the prevention of various diseases caused by fungi... It is necessary to use it to combat moniliosis at intervals of 2 weeks, but no more than 2 times per season. The drug can cause resistance to bacteria and fungi, but not in the case of moniliosis on apple trees. There, about 5 sprays are permissible with an interval of 2 weeks.

The preparation in tank mixes is compatible with many well-known chemical insecticides, fungicides and herbicides. It is not recommended to dilute it with bacterial preparations.

"Fitolavin" is not dangerous for insects, it can be used as a seed disinfectant. The substance is instantly absorbed into the tissues of the plant and takes effect within 24 hours. Protects plants for up to 20 days. It has a hazard class 3 for humans, so gloves must be used when working with it, as it can irritate the skin.

It is a very effective fungicide with a special mechanism of action that designed to protect fruit crops from fungal diseases, including moniliosis... The tool has systemic properties, is highly effective at low air temperatures from +3, therefore it is recommended to use it at the beginning of summer. Also, the drug copes well with diseases even at a high temperature of + 25, where it has a high initial activity and a good eradicating effect.

The product has not only a healing and protective effect, but is also absolutely safe for bees, other insects and the environment. Depending on the type of tree, it is bred according to the instructions. After spraying, part of the drug remains on the upper layer of plant tissue, while the other penetrates inside, providing a therapeutic effect.

Biological fungicide to fight fungal diseases... The product is available in tablets that dissolve in water. This solution must be watered or sprayed on the plants. It has a hazard class 4 for humans and a hazard class 3 for bees. The drug actively suppresses the development of pathogens, improves productivity, increases the concentration of vitamins in foods.

When using this drug berries become juicy with a rich aroma. The term of protective action is from 7 to 20 days with a one-time treatment. Treatment procedures are carried out consistently once a week. The exposure rate begins immediately after spraying.

Systemic fungicide to protect fruit crops from fungal diseases is "Skor". It is the most effective and most reliable in the ranking among the chemical class fungicides. It is phytotoxic, it can be used in all phases, thanks to it, not only the disease is destroyed, but also provides long-term storage and transportation of fruits, as well as obtaining a healthy harvest.

The tree is sprayed with the drug, and the therapeutic effect begins within 2-3 hours after treatment. The defense mechanism lasts from 7 to 21 days. The product is compatible with major pesticides.

It is an effective biological fungicide based on natural bacteria that prevents root rot, powdery mildew and moniliosis. The tool is intended not only to treat fruit crops, as a result of its use, the yield, the concentration of vitamins increases, and the fruits become more juicy and tasty.

The tool is available in tablets, effectively suppressing the onset and development of the disease. The tablet is dissolved in water or introduced into the root system. The drug is absolutely harmless to humans and the environment, does not accumulate in plants, and, accordingly, in fruits. Reduces the level of nitrates in agricultural products, restores the soil burned from pesticides, relieves stress in plants after the application of pesticides. Increases the content of proteins and ascorbic acid in fruits by 20%.

For 7-20 days, the protective effect remains after a single use. For regular protection, the tree must be treated every 7 days. Immediately after spraying, the drug's defense mechanism begins. It is recommended to use it immediately after dilution.... The medicinal solution is combined with other microbiological compounds; it cannot be mixed only with bactericides.

• In order to prevent the occurrence of this disease, first of all, it is necessary to choose varieties of fruit trees that adapted to the particular climate of your region.
• If a cold and rainy summer fell, then it is better to carry out preventive methods in order to avoid the disease later.
• Necessary always remove rotten and last year berries on branches and from the ground, as they can be a hotbed of infection.
• Be sure to whitewash trees in the spring.... It destroys spores and prevents them from appearing.
• Sick branches need to be cut down and burned, and the place of the cut should be coated with a special garden resin.
• Do not be afraid to use fungicides for prevention, also treat the soil with solutions of potassium chloride or urea. These drugs destroy spores that have overwintered with fallen leaves and berries.
• Maintain trees, sanitize pruning, whitewash, fertilize, remove old foliage near tree roots... Protect the barrel from mechanical damage, in case of a wound, treat it with a special substance.
• Observe the irrigation regime, do not allow stagnation of water in the ground.
• With a large planting of fruit trees, maintain a distance between them from 3 to 7 m, choosing a sunny and calm place.