Diseases and pests of apple trees: how to deal with them

To date, for the manufacturer, who seriously engaged in gardening, and in particular apples, the problems of diseases of fruits and trees are very relevant. What are they - common diseases and pests of apple trees? In this article we will consider the reasons for their appearance, and also try to suggest ways of protection and treatment.

Diseases of trees

So - the scab. A characteristic sign of the defeat of this disease are spots of olive-brown color, turning into black, which appears on the surface of leaves and on fruit ovaries. As a result, the leaves dry and fall off, and the fruit becomes unfit for consumption. This also reduces the frost resistance of the tree. The disease is treated by spraying trees and soil in the spring with 7% urea or 10% potassium chloride. Repeated treatment should be carried out with 5% urea and 0.5% potassium salt, and after 10-15 days several more times it is necessary to sprinkle the leaves directly. In the autumn period, it is worthwhile again to carry out treatment with the same composition in a concentration of 5%.

The danger that threatens young seedlings is bacterial or root cancers. This disease is characterized by the formation on the root necks of brownish growths, which gradually darken and solidify. Such formation on the roots can still be cut very carefully, but the affected root collar can not be saved. The best protection against such a disease is to prevent the acquisition of already affected plants, because germs can be stored in the soil for many years. But if the disease and overtaken the seedlings, it is necessary to disinfect 1% copper sulfate for 5 minutes (100 g per 10 liters of water), and then rinse in clean water. To prevent disease, it is necessary to make phosphorus, potassium fertilizers and manure into the soil. Looking ahead, it is worth saying that all the diseases and pests of the apple tree less affect it if properly to care for the plants, that is, in time to feed and water, inspect and trim the trees.

Powdery mildew

The disease, which appears due to overabundance of moisture in the summer period and is characterized by the presence of a greyish-white coating on young shoots and leaves. In this case, the affected shoots dry up, and the leaves begin to twist and fall off.

Rust

It appears immediately after the flowering period by the appearance on the inside of the leaves of orange-reddish spots with characteristic cone-shaped outgrowths. If there is a strong lesion, the leaves fall prematurely, which reduces the hardiness of the tree.

The main diseases and pests of apple trees have been described above . I would also like to introduce pests that damage both the fruit and the tree itself.

Hawthorn moth - a small butterfly, hibernating under fallen dead leaves. Caterpillars of hawthorn moths damage apple leaves, eating out passages in them. To control the moth before flowering, trees should be sprayed with insecticides. For example, gold, metation, nexion, cyanox, phosphamide or others. In the autumn, it is necessary to clean the fallen leaves and dig out the soil.

Hawthorn (large butterfly with light wings), the caterpillar of which also affects the foliage. Pest control measures are similar to the control of apple moth. Before the beginning of spring flowering, trees can be sprayed with insecticides: phosphamide, carbophos, gold, metation, etc.

A brown fruit mite affects the stems of the apple tree. As a control, spraying with oleocuprite or nitrafen is also carried out. And in the spring, during the appearance of pinkish buds, plants are sprayed with any acaricide.

As you know, many diseases and pests of apple trees can affect it several times in a season, as their new generations and mutations appear. Therefore, it is desirable to resort to biological control measures, since they are safer than chemical ones. Chemical treatment is better to use in emergency cases. This article does not describe all the major pests and diseases of the apple tree, but if you are vigilant and will conduct regular prophylaxis against these parasites, then almost completely eliminate the appearance of others. Good harvest!