![]() HOW TO PREVENT: Pretreat seeds with a fungicide to help prevent the disease from starting. Fungal spores can be transported in soil and on garden tools, but mature plants are rarely affected.ĪFFECTED CROPS: Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, melons, cucurbits, ornamental flowers.ĬAUSED BY: A soil-borne fungal disease, Fusarium oxysporum, that develops during hot, dry weather. High humidity levels, overwatering and planting too deeply will encourage fungi growth. Infected plants may germinate and come up normally, but become water-soaked, mushy and die within a few days. This fungus lives in the soil and causes the stem and root tissues to rot below the surface. GENERAL INFO: Damping off is caused by several species of fungi that mostly affects the seeds and seedlings of new plants. Prevention at the seed and seedling stage is key. HOW TO TREAT: There is no treatment once a plant becomes infected. Fungicides can be applied to the soil after planting to prevent the fungi from growing. Seed starting mix should be well-drained. HOW TO PREVENT: Provide good air circulation and avoid overwatering and overcrowding when planting seeds. Certain disease resistant corn varieties, like silver king and fantasia, should be planted until the disease is no longer present.ĪFFECTED CROPS: Vegetable and flower seeds and seedlings.ĬAUSED BY: A soil-borne fungal disease consisting of several fungal species that affects seeds and seedlings. To limit the spread of the fungus, destroy infected plants and garden debris. The fungus can overwinter and survive for as long as 5-7 years. Spores are easily carried by the wind or rain to nearby plants where they enter through plant abrasions or injuries. These galls can rupture and release fungal spores into the air. GENERAL INFO: Corn smut is a fungus that causes infected corn to form silver or greenish galls that consist of fungal material and enlarged plants cells. Remove and destroy infected plants by bagging and discarding. Avoid injuring plants and prevent insect damage by using an insecticide or insect net if insects are present. HOW TO PREVENT: Remove and destroy garden debris after harvest and practice crop rotation. Take steps to ensure the reservoir remains filled and the plant has plenty of calcium.ĬAUSED BY: A fungus, Ustilago zeae, that enters the plant through injuries and abrasions. Prevention is key to combatting this condition. Because BER is not a fungus, it will not spread to other plants, but treatment options are limited. It can occur in green or ripe fruit and will look like brown leathery spots on the bottom of the fruit initially, and black rotting wells if it becomes advanced. GENERAL INFO: Blossom End Rot (BER) is a physiological condition that is often caused by environmental factors. Check often to ensure the plant corrects itself, within 1-2 weeks. Fill the reservoir the next day as usual. Remove any water from the reservoir by tipping the system toward the overflow drain, and fill with a mixture of 1 gallon of water and 1/4 cup of pickling (hydrated) lime once only. HOW TO TREAT: Remove any affected fruit immediately and discard to encourage the plant to set new fruit. of calcium nitrate once per week in the water fill tube. Always add dolomite when you set up your EarthBox system, and avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers. HOW TO PREVENT: Always make sure the water reservoir is full. Rapid growth from too much fertilizer or high salt levels are other common causes. Once a plant becomes infected, there is no treatment to control the disease.ĪFFECTED CROPS: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, squash, watermelons, cantaloupes.ĬAUSED BY: Uneven or infrequent watering can interfere with the plant's calcium uptake, leading to a calcium deficiency and ultimately blossom end rot. A whitish substance consisting of bacteria and slime will ooze from the stem within a few minutes if the plant is infected. ![]() To identify if bacterial wilt is present, cut the stem at the base of the plant and suspend it in a glass of water. Not all cucumber beetles carry this bacterium however, if they feed on an infected plant, they can then become a carrier and spread the bacterium to other plants when feeding. GENERAL INFO: Bacterial wilt is commonly spread by cucumber beetles. ![]() Infected plants will need to be destroyed immediately to prevent further spreading of the disease. Wash garden tools thoroughly to remove bacteria. HOW TO PREVENT: Eliminate and control cucumber beetles immediately upon detection. Striped and spotted cucumber beetles also carry and transmit the disease when feeding. AFFECTED CROPS: Cucumbers, muskmelons, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, bananas, plantains.ĬAUSED BY: A bacterium, Erwinia tracheiphila, that enters the plants through wounds.
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