Goblet rust on currants

Berry crops are susceptible to fungal spores and quickly become infected. It is important to notice the changes in a timely manner and begin the fight against pathogenic pathogens. From the article you will learn how to save currants from goblet rust.

Goblet rust is caused by the pathogenic fungus Puccinia ribesii caricis. One of the main causes of currant infection is the growth of a berry bush near sedges or coniferous trees. It is these plants that are considered the intermediate "hosts" of this fungus. Glassy rust on currants may not appear at first. The early stages of infection are asymptomatic. You can harvest, prepare bushes for wintering without noticing any signs (although if you look closely, you can see white bloom on the leaves). But at this stage nothing terrible will happen, only in spring the infection will begin to progress and by the beginning of summer it will make itself felt by external manifestations. So, in the places of defeat, orange and yellowish spots will become noticeable, and in them black dots.

The infection affects not only the upper part of the currant leaf, but also the lower one. Pathology forms yellow pimples (pads) on the back of the leaflet, which after a while turn into glasses - from this form and the name of the pathogen. The whole bush suffers from this fungal disease: over time, the leaves are deformed, and when the branches become infected, the foliage dies off. If the goblet rust gets to the pilaf, the berries become irregular.

Control measures should be taken immediately with the arrival of spring, in the summer they also continue to fight the disease - the parasite does not give up so easily. There are a number of chemicals that can help get rid of goblet rust on red and black currants.

• Previkur. According to the instructions, the drug is diluted in water (15 ml of concentrate per 10 l of liquid) and either sprayed with plants (only during the growing season), or watered under a bush. In addition to destroying the fungus, the fungicide strengthens the culture's immunity.
• "Speed". This tool is recommended for use in the early stages of goblet rust development. It is also diluted in water (2 ml of the composition per 5 liters of liquid) and the currant bushes are treated with the resulting solution. Although it is a chemical, it is used at any stage of culture development.
• Copper sulfate. It is both a fungicide and a fertilizer. They can treat currants, and can also be used as a top dressing. For 10 liters of hot water, 100 g of vitriol is taken and diluted. It cools down, is filtered, and if we are talking about spraying, then it is used before bud break, then it is already risky - there is a risk of chemical burns.
• "Cuproxat". A very effective remedy, it can also be used in the rain. The fungicide penetrates the cells of the fungus and destroys it. For 10 liters of water you will need 50 ml of "Cuproxat" - this is quite enough to process a dozen bushes.
• Bordeaux liquid is considered one of the most effective compounds against goblet rust on currants. It is made from copper sulfate and calcium hydroxide (100 g each) - the mixture is diluted with 10 liters of water.
• "Topaz". Fungicide can destroy fungal spores on berries and leaves. It "works" against the parasite in any weather: both in rain and in extreme heat, this fungicide stops the germination of spores.
• Fitosporin. A new generation drug for the destruction of all types of fungi, created on the basis of microbiological processes. Approved for processing currant crops at any stage of its development. Available in the form of powder, liquid (concentrate) and pasty composition. The manufacturer of the product guarantees complete safety when using it, assuring that Fitosporin can be used even on the day of picking berries. Only 5 g of the product is dissolved in 10 liters of water and processed either on a cloudy day or late in the evening - ultraviolet light destroys the main component of the composition.

So, let's take a look at the most popular recipes.

• A solution of baking soda and soap. In 5 liters of hot water, dissolve 2 heaped tablespoons of baking soda and 3 of the same spoons of soap (preferably liquid soap). This is a good option for the prevention and control of goblet rust.
• Tobacco infusion. The fungus does not tolerate tobacco, so it is worth taking advantage of this. Dissolve tobacco dust (200 g) in hot water (2-3 L) and leave to infuse for 2-3 days. Treat currants with this rich composition at any stage of bush development.
• Garlic infusion. Goblet rust, like other types of fungus, does not tolerate the smell of garlic, which is why gardeners often turn to this recipe: 200 g of peeled garlic are poured with 2-3 liters of hot water. After a few days, the solution is filtered and used for spraying.
• A mixture based on a fermented milk product. Any product from this category can be used, even sour milk. The main condition is naturalness. Dilute 1 part of kefir or yogurt, whey or other fermented milk product in warm water (1: 10), cool slightly and process the currants with this mixture. The procedure is carried out in the evening or on a cloudy day.
• Dung water. The bucket is 1/3 filled with mullein, water is added and the composition is kept for three days in a dark place. During this time, it is necessary to mix the composition several times. Then filter the contents and dilute the concentrate with water in a ratio of 1 to 10, process the bushes.

So act on the basis of the state of affairs and the degree of neglect of the infection. Experienced agronomists advise starting treatment as soon as they find fungal spores or signs of disease on leaves and branches.

Processing can be carried out in spring, summer and autumn, unless there is no point in treating in winter. Currants are treated for goblet rust in several stages:

• sprayed after bud break;
• the next treatment - during the formation of buds;
• the next portion of the preparations is given after flowering.

This is in the usual clinical picture. When it comes to a running process (the lesion has covered most of the bush), spray it after 10 days. When the leaves of the currant dry up, do not wait for fruiting: be patient - there will be a long treatment.

In order to prevent the spread of fungal pathology in the form of goblet rust on currant bushes, observe the following points:

• choose resistant varieties with good immunity;
• spray the plant with fungicides in a timely manner;
• conduct proper agro-technical care of the crop;
• carry out timely feeding;
• destroy sedges that cause fungal infections.

These preventive measures will give effectiveness in combination - only in this way will you reduce the likelihood of infection of currants with pathogens to a minimum. In this case, everything is like in humans: it is better to prevent the disease than to cure it for a long time, losing the useful berry.

Experienced gardeners, among more specific preventive measures, distinguish the following activities:

• regular removal of weeds under currant bushes;
• collection and burning of fallen leaves;
• loosening the soil in the currant growth zone (at least 2 times a year);
• digging the site in the spring and autumn periods;
• timely cleaning of the bushes (it is important to remove old shoots, and disinfect the sections with a special compound);
• regular feeding with potassium-phosphorus agents.

Up to three liters of hot water are poured onto each bush. Thus, spores are destroyed not only on plants, but also in the soil. If you do not take any preventive measures, it is very difficult to deal with goblet rust. The infection leads to the death of the currant.

As a preventive measure against the spread of the fungus, pay attention to the condition of the soil and the area as a whole where berry bushes grow. It must be free of sedge and drained if excessive moisture is present. A humid environment is favorable for the development of fungal spores and the spread of infection. Also, in early spring, it is recommended to burn all fallen leaves and branches from trimming bushes - they may contain pathogenic microorganisms and wait in the wings. All preventive measures in combination will give a positive result.