How to process tomatoes with copper sulfate?

Many agronomists are faced with the problem of plant disease, especially when it comes to tomatoes. There are an abundance of fungicidal preparations on the market, but not everyone prefers to use them in the fight for crop health. One of the best options is copper sulfate, which is in high demand. This liquid has a number of advantages and is intended for the treatment of late blight. There are a number of rules that must be followed in order to prepare the product correctly. Here is some basic information about this fluid, its characteristics and methods of use.

Copper sulfate protects against late blight on the trunks; it is formed from copper sulfate, the crystals of which are dissolved in water. This substance is actively used during the cultivation of various crops, including tomatoes. They can process not only a plant, but also soil, tools and greenhouses, if we are talking about a fungus. Agronomists use copper sulfate against disease-causing organisms.

There are a number of indications for the use of this substance that you need to familiarize yourself with. The main task of this "medicine" is to eliminate and prevent fungal diseases in tomatoes. Vitriol can be sprayed on bushes that are grown both outdoors and in a greenhouse. The tool is able to provide protection for 2 weeks, which is also an advantage.

The presence of late blight is evidenced by the appearance of dark brown and gray spots on the back of the leaves. If you notice white bloom on the greenhouse plant, it is time to apply the substance. As a result of late blight, the fruits not only grow with spots on the skin, but also acquire an irregular shape, and can also begin to rot. Typical signs appear on the vegetable, leaves and even the stem, then the spots begin to grow, if the disease is not dealt with.

The presence of a problem is indicated by spots of different colors, it is important to pay attention to the color of the leaves and veins - if they turn yellow or dry, and the fruits become ugly, the bush dies. It is necessary to fight such troubles as soon as the first signs appear, therefore it is extremely important to monitor the condition of the plants in order to enter the fight on time.

To understand whether it is worth spraying the planting with copper sulfate, you need to know if the soil and plant have enough copper. If young leaves have already begun to curl, and the shoots are slowly growing, there is no doubt that the culture lacks a trace element, therefore, its immunity is reduced, and the intensity of fruit formation has weakened.

The main advantages of using copper sulfate include efficiency, since it is able to quickly and efficiently destroy bacteria and fungus. Copper sulfate is one of those drugs that are safe - the substance will not penetrate into the tissue, so the fruits are not poisoned. This liquid can be used constantly, microorganisms are not able to develop immunity against it, so it will always work. Its action begins after a couple of hours, and this pleases.

Tomato bushes can be processed in different ways, depending on the degree of damage to the plant. However, there are a number of rules in what proportions to dilute the liquid, spray or water the crop.

For this method, it is necessary to take crystals of copper sulfate, not dissolve them, but embed them in the soil so that the soil is saturated with the substance. This procedure is carried out twice a decade, otherwise the earth will be poisoned with a trace element. Only a gram of powder is needed per square meter, which is buried in the fall. If the soil is fertile and there is enough copper in it, no additional application is needed.

The solution is used to spray tomato bushes if fungal diseases have been detected or there is a copper deficiency. To prepare the liquid, you need to take a 0.01-0.05% solution of vitriol, in which the tomato seeds are kept for 15 minutes. Then they must be rinsed with plain water.

As for spraying the bushes, this should be done 3 weeks after planting the seedlings, when the first ovaries are just beginning to appear. If flowering has not occurred, treatment should be postponed. For this method, Bordeaux liquid 0.1-0.2% is used. If the summer is rainy, spraying is repeated every one and a half weeks. In the absence of disease symptoms, treatment is not required.

This method is needed to disinfect the earth; it will require a 1% solution. It will be necessary to decontaminate the containers in which the seedlings are grown, and the soil is also processed. About a liter of copper sulfate is poured into each hole where the bushes are planted, this must be done a day before sowing. In this case, you can use a 2% solution, but wait a week before planting.

The dosage should depend on how severe the disease is, and whether you are going to treat the soil or bush. You can feed the plants with copper sulfate before the fruits appear - this will provide a sufficient amount of trace elements.

The copper sulphate compound is a danger to human health, therefore, safety precautions must be taken to protect yourself from unpleasant consequences. If you are going to dilute the liquid, make sure you have heavy rubber gloves and it is recommended that you wear glasses. When it comes to cooking and spraying, wear long sleeves to protect your skin from burns. Do not eat or drink water or smoke while working.

If liquid does get on exposed skin or mucous membranes, rinse with plenty of running water to avoid scalding. It is worth noting that if copper sulfate is used in reasonable amounts, toxicity in tomatoes will not accumulate, but if the proportions are not observed, an overdose is inevitable.

For spraying, it is recommended to use a spray bottle or a soft, long-bristled brush. The composition can be stored for no more than 3 hours. If after processing the liquid remains, it must be poured out in a safe place where it will not harm. The last spraying of the plant should be done one week before harvest. Rinse fruit well before eating.

If the concentration of the solution is exceeded, the tomatoes will get burned, as evidenced by the blackening of the leaves. Novice gardeners can make the mistake of mixing liquid with other products. Copper sulfate is incompatible with organophosphorus compounds and substances that decompose in alkali. Keep the solution, like the powder, out of the reach of children and pets.

When it comes to working conditions, there are some rules that you should be familiar with first. The spraying method is carried out in dry weather, when there is no wind and no precipitation is expected in the coming days. If you have dissolved the crystals, it is recommended to use the product for several hours, after which it will be unusable.

When preparing the solution, it is recommended to use water heated to 50 degrees Celsius so that the powder can dissolve well. Do not do this in a metal container; use a plastic bucket or bowl. It is best to strain the solution before spraying to get rid of small crystals, as they can clog the spray nozzle.