Rust on apple leaves: how to fight, how to treat and what to do

The apple tree is a favorite tree for most gardeners, and all thanks to the fact that the culture is easy to care for and it is unpretentious. A wide range of uses of fruits, leaves and flowers in everyday life further adds to the popularity of fruit trees. Apple trees, like other plants, are susceptible to various diseases that arise due to some negative factors. It is worth considering in more detail the causes of brown spots on the foliage, and ways to deal with rust on the leaves of an apple tree.

What causes rust

The main cause of rust spots is due to the presence of fungus. Very often, fruit crops planted next to coniferous plants suffer. When they grow, one can detect the appearance of star-shaped outgrowths on the leaves of apple trees, on which new spores are formed, which in spring will be carried around by gusts of wind to garden trees. Once infected, the disease spreads through leaves, shoots, and fruits.

The most unfavorable regions for rust on apple trees are the Southern, Southwestern, Southeastern regions of Ukraine and the Republic of Crimea.

The period of active development of the fungus and how dangerous it is for the apple tree

The disease has a fungal nature and after the defeat of the tree, it disrupts the ability of the leaves to photosynthesis. The yield is noticeably reduced due to failures in the water-mineral exchange. The tree begins to wither right before our eyes.First, a rusty coating appears, then brown spots appear, then brown.

Additional damage is done to young shoots, from which it is already useless to wait for the harvest. Severe damage causes the death of young trees. Most often this happens at the beginning of summer - in June-July.

As soon as a disease is detected, it must be treated, otherwise you can lose all the fruit trees in the garden. Rusted apple trees die in a few years, during which the fungus develops more and more.

Signs of tree disease

Any spots on the foliage, or if the leaves are curled, is a signal to the grower. Rust becomes noticeable from the moment the foliage blooms. Particular attention should be paid to plants in the last spring months.

Initially, round dots of different sizes appear on the leaves, having a green-yellow or light green-white color.Gradually, they increase in size, the color changes to bright red, subsequently the foliage is strongly twisted. Parasitic spores begin to suck moisture from the vegetative parts of the tree. If you start the disease, then it begins to affect the bark and shoots.

At the first appearance of rust, treatment should be started to prevent the spread of infection throughout the garden and protect future fruits.

Systemic fungicides to control fungal infection

To get rid of rust, fungicides are most often used as control measures. They are the best to use when identifying the disease. The most effective are drugs related to contact or systemic contact.

Namely:

• Strobe;
• "Topaz";
• "Vectra";
• Cineba;
• Polyram.

All funds have approximately the same effect, aimed at the destruction of the fungal colony. There is a defeat of spores, which, thanks to the active particles of the drug, will no longer be able to give rise to fungi.

Treat can be done by using several agents in alternation, which will prevent the parasite from getting used to the chemicals. The fungus is perfectly able to adapt to fungicidal agents. It happens very simply, in a spore form, the adverse effects are expected, and then the disease begins to develop much more actively.

Universal drugs include systemic fungicides, thanks to which, if used correctly, you can completely cure the garden of red leaves and disease.

As for dosages, medicines are diluted in a bucket of water in the following quantity:

• "Strobe" - 2 grams;
• "Topaz" - 2 milliliters;
• "Vectra" - 2 grams;
• Polyram - 2 grams.

All of the above funds are diluted in the same amount, and therefore it is difficult to make a mistake when making a medicinal solution. But "Tsenebu" is added to water in the amount of 40 grams.

Worth knowing: if horticultural crops have been treated for scab, then you do not need to additionally spray the trees against rust. The remedy chosen will affect both pathogens.

Topaz

The tool refers to powerful drugs to combat the fungus. Release form liquid or powder. One tree needs 2 liters per 10 square meters. Processing is carried out up to several times with a 14-day break between them.

It is recommended to spray trees in dry, calm weather. If it rains a few hours after using the drug, then re-treatment is not carried out, this time will be enough to absorb the product.

Strobe

The drug has some advantages that allow you to use the product at the time of flower formation. The fungicide is not harmful to bees.

Processing can be done at low temperature, high humidity. The tool is effective against various fungal diseases, it is especially successful in fighting rust.

Vectra

The active ingredient in this powerful drug is called bromuconazole. For a young tree, two liters of the diluted product is enough. Adult fruiting apple trees are sprayed with a solution of 10-15 liters.

The spray can be used a maximum of 3 times and must not be mixed with other products.

Copper-containing drugs for the treatment of the disease

Rust fungus is successfully affected by Bordeaux liquid, which is one of the most well-known methods of treating the disease. A working 1% solution is used.

The first time the garden is cultivated in the spring when the weather is more or less warm. In hot weather, the use of the product is strictly prohibited due to the risk of burns on trees.

There are other drugs that can fight rust on an apple tree.

Blue Bordeaux

Excellent substitute for Bordeaux liquid, has a granular release form. The agent is easily soluble in water. The advantage is that the solution is suitable for use in inclement weather.

"Blue Bordeaux" destroys pathogenic colonies along with spores. The tool is contact.

"Abiga Peak"

The main substance is copper. The drug also belongs to the contact group of substances. The agent must be applied to the affected areas of the tree. The drug will not penetrate into the inner layers of the tree.

You need to know that the use of "Abiga Peak" is possible only in dry weather. To obtain a working solution in a bucket of water, you need to dilute 50 grams of the drug.

Kuproksat

Composed of nitrogen and copper acetate. If you prepare a 0.25% solution, it will neutralize all fungal spores.

The product is suitable for root watering. The benefit of the product is that it destroys rust and saturates the soil with useful components.

"Champion"

Can be used both as a prophylactic and a therapeutic agent. The leaves are covered with a protective layer, and therefore the fungus will not be able to infect and spread throughout the apple tree.

During the fight against rust, conditions are created that are completely unsuitable for the fungus, but complete destruction cannot be achieved. A bucket of water needs 60 grams. The tool is contraindicated for use when establishing hot weather.

Sulfur-containing drugs

The next group of medicines against red spots on leaves and spoilage of fruits are preparations containing sulfur.

Colloidal sulfur

Colloidal sulfur in the form of a solution is recommended by gardeners as one of the most popular rust-fighting products. To prepare it, you need water in the amount of 5 liters and sulfur powder - 40 grams.

The greatest effect occurs if the agent comes into contact with the affected culture. It is important to remember that colloidal sulfur is not used when trees bloom.

Cumulus

The main component is sulfur. Convenient release form, quickly and well soluble in water. Does not generate dust.

Basic Biologicals

Biological preparations against rust spots and diseases of apple trees differ from other means in that they improve the immune system of fruit crops and increase resistance to fungal diseases. No negative effects have been found when using.

Products do not pose a risk to:

• people;
• flora;
• insects;
• pets.

When using biological products, the crop is completely safe for both adults and children.

Planris

When brown rust occurs, it is advisable to use this tool. The drug in the amount of 50 ml is added to 10 liters of water. Planriz effectively fights the fungus and enhances the growth of young trees.

"Trichodermin"

Relates to very common products with a wide range of effects, including successfully fighting rust. You can prepare a working solution as follows: 100 ml of the product must be diluted in water in an amount of 10 liters.

The first treatment is done after the buds open, and then twice a month throughout the season. When the apple trees begin to bloom, the product is not used.

Fitosporin M

A drug with a huge amount of positive feedback from gardeners. Trees can be processed throughout the growing season. To obtain a solution, you need to dilute 15 ml of the product in water - 10 liters.

You can process not only trees, but also crops that are difficult to store.

"Phytodoctor"

Established as a successful remedy for the fight against fungus. To prepare a working solution, you need to dilute 30 grams of the product in 10 liters of water. Fruit trees are processed every 14 days during the growing season.

You can start spraying from the moment the buds begin to bloom. Stop using the product before harvesting apples.

Tank mixes

Now it becomes clear how to use biological preparations, if desired, you can make a combination of several agents at once. Tank mix is one of the most effective fungus control methods.

Preparing everything is very simple, for 10 liters of water you need to take:

• 50ml Planriza;
• 50 ml Ecoberine;
• 100 ml Trichodermina;
• 100 ml Gaupsin;
• 30 grams of Phytodoctor.

If the trees are already affected by the fungus, then it is necessary to process the crop up to 3 times a month, from the moment the buds open until the harvest.

Technology and processing times

If the leaves of apple trees are covered with rust, then you can fight the infection as follows:

1. On the first day, as soon as diseased shoots appear, they must be cut 7 cm lower than the affected area. Mandatory destruction of the source of the spread of the disease, for example, a diseased juniper. The trunk circle is cleared, the soil is treated with copper sulphate in the form of a solution.
2. On the second day, spray the apple trees with a fungicidal solution. The choice of the drug depends on the growing season. Juniper also needs to be treated with the same tool.
3. On the fourth day, potassium monophosphate is used for foliar feeding of apple trees. Use of potassium humate for watering.
4. On the seventh day - treat fruit trees together with juniper with the same fungicide that was selected earlier.
5. On the fourteenth day - ash liquor is used to process apple trees.
6. On the thirtieth day - a new fungicidal agent against the fungus is selected.
7. On the thirty-seventh day - another fungicidal treatment.
8. On the fortieth day - potassium monophosphate is used for foliar feeding of apple trees.

After the harvest is done, the apple trees undergo sanitary pruning, shoots are removed from the trunk or basal offspring. It is necessary to whitewash the trunk and the lower parts of the skeletal branches. "Phytolavin" is used to process the near-trunk circle, mulching is additionally applied.

Beginning of next season - blue vitriol is used to spray trees when buds begin to open. Junipers also need to be treated.Apple trees are treated with tank mix before flowering begins.

Preventive measures to prevent infection

Any disease can be defeated if treatment is started in time. Protective measures can help prevent the spread of infection. This practice is called prevention, thanks to timely measures taken, garden trees can be saved.

To prevent the formation of fungus, you must:

• cleansing the garden - after the harvest, plant residues are recommended to be removed to the maximum;
• compliance with agrotechnical measures (timely processing, fertilizing, proper watering);
• use of fungicides on apple trees;
• planting disease-resistant varieties.

If you inspect fruit crops in a timely manner to identify diseased trees and start treatment on time, losses can be avoided. Any disease is always easier to prevent than to cure.

What is the danger of juniper for an apple orchard

Not many gardeners are aware of the dangers of juniper bushes for apple trees.It is in them that rust pathogens arise and remain. The spores of this fungus are carried by the wind or on the paws of an insect to apple trees. In winter, rust is in the needles of the juniper, and in the spring it comes to life and attacks the apple tree again.

In order to interrupt this process and not be left not only without a crop, but also without the whole garden, the juniper should either be disposed of or transplanted from apple trees at a great distance. Young shoots are especially susceptible to the influence of the fungus.

If there is no desire to transplant conifers, you should inspect them for the presence of pathogens. They are characterized by the presence of a brown-rusty color on the needles. In this case, the disease should be fought.

To do this:

• cut conifers;
• dig deep into the ground and spill boiling water;
• treat with fungicides;
• spray trees and soil every spring;
• take regular care of the juniper.

However, even despite the complete destruction of coniferous bushes, rust may remain. Its spores are able to cover distances of more than 50 km. The best way out is timely tree care.

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