Why do the leaves turn black on the pear and what to do?

For those new to gardening, the appearance of black spots on the pear may seem like a minor problem. Real anxiety comes at the very moment when there is an understanding that the tree dries up, and there is no need to talk about the fruits and their quality. However, there are a small number of very different causes of black spots. The advantage of modernity is that a number of diseases or disorders can be easily corrected on their own. All about why black spots appear on pear leaves and how to get rid of them, read this article.

At first, the number of black spots on pear leaves is small, and as a result, they are easy to miss. If certain measures are not taken, then after a while the leaves on the pear are no longer green, but dark green, and later almost completely black. Later, such a black sheet dries, curls and falls off. However, it is not only the leaves that are affected - the loss of the crop and even the tree is a big problem. The fact that the leaves turn black is just the tip of the iceberg and signals a number of serious problems or diseases in the pear. The reasons for this phenomenon are listed below.

• Leaves may be stained because the tree lacks nutrients. For example, with a calcium deficiency, the leaves turn yellow and then turn black. As a result, they dry up and fall off. With a lack of boron, the leaves darken and curl at the same time.

• Dry weather may also be the reason why the tree leaves darkened. Simply put, the plant is badly affected by low humidity. This usually happens in summer (hot weather). The leaves evaporate moisture in large quantities, and along with it, the microelements necessary for vital activity go away. In addition to the leaves, the bark also turns black, later it will crumble. Particularly active blackening can be seen in leaves, which are exposed to the sun's rays for the longest time during the day. Seedlings may suffer greatly from this after transplantation.

• If black leaves appear on the pear, then, most likely, pests are the cause. There are a number of parasites that attack the pear more often than others. They often only live on pear trees.

1. Pear gall mite. It looks like a small spider with an elongated body. It feeds on leaf juice. In winter, it finds refuge in the young bark, the rest of the time it is active.
2. Common leaf beetle. Also called pear copper. When plants are infected with these parasites, dots of different colors (not only black) appear on the leaves: yellow, red and other mixed shades. The parasites live in the bark and on damaged branches. Plaque appears on the leaves and fruits, which is a favorable environment for fungi.
3. Aphid. Inhabits trees in whole colonies, reproduces well and quickly. It is dangerous because it feeds on juice from the leaves. The waste product is sugar. It is known to create favorable conditions for the development of the fungus. The leafworm is a similar pest. A characteristic feature is the presence of cobwebs on twisted leaves.

• If you did not find pests, and the top dressing was done correctly and at the right time, but the spots still appeared, then, most likely, the tree is sick.The following diseases can be the cause of blackening of the leaves.

1. Often, a pear seedling develops a bacterial burn. This is caused by bacteria (a type of enterobacteriaceae). It is carried from tree to tree by insects, birds, humans, and so on. Grows well in wet and rainy weather.
2. Scab is often the cause of black spots. First, black dots appear on the leaves, then on the fruits. The scab first settles on one branch, then on the whole tree. This disease is fraught with the fact that it can start an epidemic. In case of illness, the dots that appear merge into spots, you can notice an unpleasant plaque. Shoots with bark are also affected.

Perhaps the simplest treatment for blackening (in the event that the tree suffers from a lack of moisture) is banal watering. It is also necessary to do regular spraying of the leaves of the tree with water. The procedures are useful in hot and dry periods. This is a necessary "minimum" in the fight against blackening.

Now, most gardeners - to the best of their ability - prefer to do without the intervention of chemicals. However, there are those that have only biological origin. One of them is Gamair, which is used to fight fungi. Its important advantage is the fact that it can be used on a tree with fruits. It contains microorganisms that eat sugar from parasitic secretions. Thus, an environment that is not entirely favorable for the development of the fungus is created. Among such drugs, one can also note "Fitoflavin", "Baikal", "Shining" and "VostokEM1". Also, biological agents that help in pest control include immunomodulators and micronutrients.

One of the most common and effective methods is trimming diseased parts.

With a lack of certain microelements, feeding with one or another preparation containing a high concentration of the element is allowed.

The preparations "Decis", "Karbofos", "Intra-vir" save from the pear gall mite. Usually one tablet is taken per 10 liters of water. Leaves and trunk are sprayed with this solution. Treatment is carried out every 10 days, 2 or 3 times per season. Such drugs as "Sherpa", "Dimilin", "Fastak" help to fight against leaf beetle. They need to be sprayed three times: in early spring, before flowering and after flowering.

Treatment with streptomycin and tetracycline drugs helps with bacterial burns. Also, any copper-containing preparations (for example, copper sulfate) are saved from bacteria. All parts affected by the bacteria must be cut off and burned. Tools are then disinfected. If the whole tree is damaged, then, unfortunately, it will also need to be burned. Scab is fought with Bordeaux liquid, as well as "Fast", "Horus". In the course of tree treatment, it is in this case that you need to add top dressing (potassium salt, potassium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate). All components should be added to the top dressing in a ratio of no more than 10%.

As a rule, all alternative methods are good only for treatment in the initial stages. Helps against aphids by spraying tinctures of the following substances: wood ash (0.3 kg) and laundry soap (2 tbsp.l), tobacco dust (2 tbsp.), onion husks (2 kg), garlic and garlic arrows (0.2-0.3 kg), chili peppers (5 pcs.). All of these ingredients must be infused for 3 days in 10 liters of water. You don't need to mix them. A corresponding decoction is prepared from each of these components. All of these fluids are gentle and can be used every 3 days. Actions must be continued until all pests disappear.

In the fight against pear mites, decoctions are used from infusion of dandelions (1 kg), potato tops (1 kg), marigold flowers (1 kg), as well as from chamomile (its stems, flowers and leaves in a total volume of 1 kg). The infusion must also be prepared on the basis of 10 liters of water.

Horsetail (3 kg), powdered mustard (4 tablespoons) or potassium permanganate (5 g) help with scab. You also need to insist everything for 3 days in 10 liters of water.

Obviously, the main preventive measures are aimed at preventing the emergence of pests.

1. It is necessary to carry out regular weeding of the soil near the tree. Many pests live on the weed grass.
2. Blackened leaves (regardless of the reason for the discoloration) should not be composted. And even more so, it cannot be used as mulch or other fertilizers. If it was not possible to burn such leaves, then it is necessary to leave them to rot for a couple of years. After this period, the fungus or infectious disease dies. This is true for most bacteria, but not all.
3. Top dressing gives the trees strength not only to resist diseases, but also to fight them on their own in the initial stages. If the tree is not at the initial stage of the disease and is being treated, then it is best to suspend feeding.
4. Autumn and spring treatments with insecticides are required. The basic set can be purchased at your local flower shop.
5. It is best to plant varieties and types of pears that are resistant to various infections and diseases.
6. Insects help in the fight against pests: ladybugs and ant lions. Try to create favorable conditions for them and attract them to your site.
7. As already mentioned, after use, all inventory must be treated with disinfectants. This should be done even if the treated plants are healthy.
8. High humidity contributes to the development of diseases. It is not necessary to water the pear too abundantly and often.
9. The well-known whitewashing of trunks is a good prevention. Whitewash mixes are also available from flower shops. If necessary, they are easy to make yourself.