Brown spotting on an apple tree: causes and symptoms, control measures and treatment

Brown spot appears on various plants, apple trees are also at risk. Compared with late blight, the disease is not as serious. If all conditions are created for the development of brown spotting, half of the crop will die.

What is apple phyllosticosis?

Phyllostictosis or brown spot is a disease that has a fungal character. Microorganisms in the process of activity create brown spots on the leaves of the apple tree. The probability of developing phyllosticosis on apple trees increases in the middle of summer. In regions with a warm climate, you can notice the appearance of brown spot at the end of May, in such places fruit trees suffer the most from the disease.

Causes of brown spots on tree leaves

They are divided into two groups:

• domestic;
• external.

In the first case, the disease occurs as a result of the weakening of the body. External factors in the development of brown spotting include various fungi from the genus Phyllosticta. Moreover, brown spotting is found not only on apples, but also on pears and quince.

The pathogen begins to develop when suitable weather conditions occur. It should be warm weather and high humidity outside.

Winter is not terrible for fungi, as they can calmly wait out the cold season in order to hit as many plantings with renewed vigor as possible next season. Late blight and brown spot cannot exist with each other on the same plant.

Signs and symptoms

In mid-May, the leaves of the apple tree are covered with small spots. Over time, they become blurry and acquire a brown tint. The spots have a brown rim. At the end of summer, the middle of the spot brightens. The leaf plate becomes thin and covered with black pycnidia. In regions with a cold climate, the development of symptoms is observed later. Despite the fact that the disease is not so active, the infection does not leave the trees.

Protection drugs

Spraying with fungicides or antibiotics will help solve the problem. There are many drugs that fight not only phyllostictosis.

Raek

As part of the drug, the active ingredient is difenoconazole. Fungicide benefits:

• effect after first application;
• quick penetration into the plant;
• providing protection for a long time;
• slows down the formation of spores, making them impossible to germinate.

Raek is presented as a liquid. 2 cubes of the drug are diluted in 10 liters of water. Spray an apple tree with brown spotting at the time of bud break. The treatment procedure is repeated during the budding period.

Fitolavin

You can fight phyllostictosis with the help of another equally effective drug - Fitolavin. It is an antibacterial drug with fungicidal properties. The active ingredient is phytobacteriomycin.

The main advantage of "Fitolavin" is a wide spectrum of action, but there is also a drawback. As a result of use, the drug accumulates in plants and trees. Therefore, it is recommended to apply if the infection has reached a large scale.Spraying is carried out long before harvest.

Strobe

The drug to combat phyllostictosis belongs to the group of strobilurins. Fungicide benefits:

• acts systemically;
• evenly distributed throughout the sheet;
• liquid on the leaves is not washed away by rain;
• continues to operate with temperature fluctuations;
• destroys fungi and other pathogens.

Treatment of brown spot on apple trees with this drug can result in negative consequences for a person. In direct contact with the skin and inhalation of vapors, it leads to the development of allergic reactions. If it is necessary to cure apple trees from brown spotting, it is recommended to alternate "Strobe" with other drugs. In this way, it will be possible to avoid the emergence of resistance of fungi.

Zato Fungicide

"But" for spraying makes it impossible for microorganisms to breathe. This causes the fungi to stop growing and die. It is used in rainy weather, as it is not washed off with wet streams.

This drug is recommended in cases where it is urgently necessary to take measures to combat fungi, especially if it is cold outside.

“But” is suitable for processing affected apple trees if the weather is constantly changing.

Folk remedies

In addition to chemicals, you should pay attention to the tools that are at hand. Common and most popular recipes for brown spot control:

1. Solution containing 20 drops of iodine, 5 liters of water and 500 ml of milk.
2. 1 liter of serum per bucket of water.
3. Decoction of coal ash - 10 liters of water and 500 g of ash. The mixture is boiled for 25 minutes.
4. Solution of potassium permanganate. Potassium permanganate is added to a bucket of water in such an amount that the liquid becomes a light pink color.
5. 500 g minced garlic cloves and green plant shoots infused in 10 liters of water.

All recipes should be liquid. The finished solution is sprayed with infected apple trees. They require simple ingredients to make them.

Disease prevention

Consists in many activities. Gardeners sometimes underestimate the importance of pruning trees. Sanitary removal of branches is necessary, since the affected ones are also destroyed along with the dry ones. He althy branches are also pruned to thin out to provide more space.

Pruning for the purpose of thinning favorably affects the processes of photosynthesis in the leaves of the apple tree, increasing them. It is also useful, as the ventilation of the branches of the crown increases. The sparse structure of the apple tree is a guarantee that much fewer foci of infection will form. Direct access of sunlight to the branches kills the remnants of the fungus.

To protect apple trees from brown spotting, be sure to destroy fallen leaves. You can do this in several ways. Fallen leaves are used in the preparation of compost or simply buried in a trench. To make it easier to work with them, they are burned.

Chemical treatment

Preparations that are used to combat apple trees are also used as a preventive measure. The only difference is the dilution of smaller doses. Processing he althy leaves will eliminate the likelihood of disease development.

Spraying with chemicals is desirable after harvesting - in the fall.The procedure should not be transferred to the spring. If the apple trees feel he althy before the onset of cold weather, this will help to avoid the development of the disease in the new season. The leaves of the tree will not become stained, and a person will be able to harvest.

Fertilizers and pests

Fedding apple trees plays an important role. But even when conducting such an event, a person can make a mistake. It is necessary to observe the dosage of the components of the fertilizer that is introduced. To increase the resistance of fruit trees to brown spot, the presence of nitrogen in fertilizers is mandatory.

Another preventive measure against brown spot is the destruction of insects. Pests suck the juice from the tree, thus transferring the infection. Thrips and aphids are especially dangerous.

How to deal with the harvest

When the disease is advanced, the most aggressive fungicides are used.If treatment with solutions occurs shortly before harvesting, it is better to refrain from eating fruits. They do not refuse spraying even in the fall, as this will ensure the fruiting of the apple tree next year.

Apples can be eaten if fungicide treatment was carried out long before they were harvested. Over time, they get rid of accumulated harmful substances. That is why apple trees are sprayed during the budding period.

If no action is taken, a person can lose half of the garden crop. Fallen apples, as well as leaves, are disposed of. The fruits can carry the source of the infection, which will cause the disease to appear next year.

Conclusion

Brown spot or phyllosticosis is one of the diseases that affect not only the appearance of fruit trees, but also apples. To maintain the yield and the ability of trees to bear fruit, it is recommended to carry out regular processing.Chemicals and traditional medicine products are taken as spraying agents.

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