Gray bloom on grapes

It is no secret that a gray bloom that appears on the leaves and even more so on grape berries can upset any gardener. According to current statistics, various diseases lead to the death of about 30% of the crop annually.

And it is important to take into account that ignoring the recommended preventive measures can increase this indicator at least twice. If the grapes are covered with a gray bloom, then this may be a manifestation of a whole list of diseases.

The described problem is one of the pronounced symptoms of bacterial plant diseases. As a rule, the stage of activation falls in the spring, and as a result all parts of the grapes may be affected. The list of fungal diseases that appear in the form of a gray plaque on a plant includes those listed below.

• Mildew - a disease provoked by a fungus that is as resistant to frost as possible. It develops actively with the arrival of heat and in conditions of high humidity.
• Oidium - the most dangerous fungus for grapes, capable of causing maximum, irreparable damage. The diseased leaves are covered with a profuse bloom, similar to ash or dust.
• Gray rot - affects ripening fruits, which as a result are transformed into a soft, actively decaying ball, covered with mold of the corresponding color.
• Anthracnose Is another dangerous fungal disease of grapes that affects shoots and berries.
• White rot - a disease, the symptoms of which are most often visible in hot weather and during drought. At the same time, the fruits begin to turn brown, lose their elasticity and eventually fall off.

In this case, we are talking about increasing the sugar content, which will be most relevant in the context of making wine. But the appearance of bacterial mold on the fruits of red grapes leads to the destruction of the pigment.

The main effective means of combating fungi and preventing their appearance are fungicides. Taking into account the principle of operation, they are divided into three categories.

• Systemic, the list of which includes "Skor", "Topaz", "Quadris" - preparations that can penetrate the stems and leaf plates of grapes, after which they are spread with juice throughout the bush.
• Contact ("Shavit", "Kuprozan")acting directly in the outbreak. These funds are washed off during precipitation, which is why the treatment must be carried out more often.
• Complex ("Polychom", "Paracelsus"), that is, combining the characteristics of the two previous varieties, therefore, being the most effective.

Depending on the disease, specific measures are required to treat the plants.

• Mildew - spraying with Bordeaux mixture, as well as treatment of affected plants with "Horus", "Ridomil", "Strobi", "Kuproksat", "Antracol" and "Thanos".
• Oidium - pruning of damaged parts, treatment with fungicides "Thanos", "Horus" and "Strobi", as well as the introduction of phosphorus-potassium fertilizing.
• Gray rot - pruning the vines damaged by the disease and processing the sections with a 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid or 5% vitriol solution.As part of the treatment, "Switch", "Sunilex", "Euparen", "Ronilan", as well as "Ronilan" and "Topsin M" are used.
• Anthracnose - treatment of grapes with drugs "Ridomil", "Antrakol" or "Hom".
• White rot - removal of all affected bunches, followed by the mandatory destruction and treatment of the bushes with drugs that include penconazole or methyl theophanate. The Horus has proven itself well.

One of the most popular and effective folk remedies is a solution that contains potassium permanganate, soda and iodine. To prepare it you need:

• in 1 liter of water (about 45 degrees) add 5 tbsp. l. soda;
• add iodine - 20 drops;
• dilute the resulting solution with 9 liters of water;
• add potassium permanganate until light pink;
• add 2 tbsp. l. grated laundry soap;
• stir the solution until the components are completely dissolved.

Wood ash will be no less effective in the fight against fungi. You will need to dilute 2 kg of ash in 10 liters of water and insist the solution for 2-3 days. Then a liter of the resulting mixture is diluted in 10 liters of water and sprayed with grapes.

It is important to take into account that all currently existing drugs for the treatment of grapes are chemistry. To prevent both the disease itself and the negative impact of these funds on the plant and its fruits will allow timely and competent implementation of preventive measures. And first of all, in order to counter the risks of infection of plants with a fungus, it is necessary to ensure that there is air access from all sides to the grape bushes. The lack of sufficient ventilation creates the most favorable conditions for the development of the fungus. However, an equally important point is high-quality soil aeration.

It is important to remember that it is strongly recommended to start taking preventive measures in the autumn period. This refers to the competent preparation of grape bushes for wintering. They will need to be treated with copper or iron sulfate. These solutions have proven to be effective fungus-killing agents. With the onset of spring, plants should be sprayed with a solution of the drug "Azophos". It contains nitrogen, which greatly enhances the effect of copper.