Apricot is a fairly resistant tree to various diseases, but growing in our climatic conditions it often suffers from fungal diseases. When planning to grow this fruit crop in your own garden, you should prepare for the fight against apricot diseases. To do this, you need to know the most common apricot diseases and effective remedies for their treatment.
Types of apricot diseases and their treatment
Regular and timely apricot tree care procedures are the main weapon in the fight against harmful microorganisms and infections. Spraying, which is most often done in the spring, is recommended to be done only after sanitary pruning and cleaning the tree from the affected area. After this, you can start slurry coating.
By and large, an apricot tree most easily picks up some kind of fungus. The situation is aggravated if rainfall regularly falls in the spring and summer. Therefore, it is recommended to whiten the tree trunk annually and spray the leaves with a fungicide. When autumn comes, periodically collect and burn fallen leaves, not allowing the beginning of its decay. High humidity helps to accelerate the development of fungal diseases such as moniliosis.
Moniliosis
Moniliosis is a fungal disease that causes the rapid death of the whole tree. To recognize the disease, you must carefully examine the plant. With moniliosis, the leaves become brownish and dry, the fruits begin to rot, and gray pillows grow on the bark of the trunk.
The cause of this problem is the "manila" fungus, which actively manifests itself on cloudy and humid days. Therefore, in case of the threat of long and prolonged rainfall, it is recommended to pre-treat the tree with a 3% composition, the main component of which is copper chloroxide (calculated as 30 g per 10 l of pure water). An excellent alternative is the 1% solution of Skor (in the calculation of 2 ml per 10 l of water). Both compounds are easier to use with a spray gun, which allows you to spray the bark and crown of leaves.
Monilial burn
This disease is one of the forms of moniliosis, also caused by the dangerous fungus "beckon", but manifests itself in damage to fruits and leaves. The latter literally dry up and fall off in a couple of days. If left untreated, the fruits will soon begin to rot, creating a threat of loss of the entire crop.
It is impossible to physically spray each branch with a medical solution, since the height of the tree varies from 3 to 12 m, it is advisable to process at least large branches, the location in the lower part, and we should not forget about the trunk bark. This should increase the protective properties of the plant.
As a medicine, the same solutions are used as in the treatment of moniliosis. The recommended proportions must be observed, otherwise you can burn the tree.
Fruit gray rot
Fruit rot gray is a consequence of advanced moniliosis. This time, the fruits become the object of the fungus. With the timely removal of the affected apricot, the disease can be prevented, however, it is not so easy to notice the focus of infection at the initial stage. The rotten fruits remaining on the branch mummify with the onset of winter. In spring, the fungus “descends” along the fruit branch and spreads through young ovaries. Subsequently, this causes an early death of the whole tree.
The only effective way to combat fruit gray rot is the timely removal of damaged shoots, branches, inflorescences. The latter is recommended to be removed by capturing ten centimeters with a healthy tissue.
As a prophylaxis, “Nitrafen” is used, which is sprayed on the base of the plant and the surrounding soil (in the calculation of 200-300 g per 10 liters of clean water).
Brown leaf spot
This disease is called gnomoniasis and provokes the appearance of spots on the foliage of an apricot tree. It does not show itself actively, at first the gardener may not even notice a change in the color of the foliage. Over time, the affected leaf begins to coarsen and curl, provoking its own drying out, but does not fall off the branch.
Running apricot tree disease is almost impossible to cure. Therefore, at the first appearance of spots, it is recommended to spray with drugs with the names "HOM" and "Abiga-Peak". If necessary, treatment can be strengthened by conducting it in the beginning of summer and autumn using the Horus solution. As a prophylaxis, cutting dry branches and subsequent coating of sections with oil paints is quite effective.
Leaf curl
Curliness of the leaves is provoked by affected shoots, not cleaned by fallen leaves and buds. The fungus is able to penetrate into fissures of the cortex and spread the infection. Curls appear in spring on fresh and young foliage. Foliage is gradually deformed by compaction of sinewy folds. The affected foliage acquires a grayish-greenish tint and falls off over time.
A 5% solution of chlorine copper oxide and copper sulfate helps to curl leaves. Use it to spray the buds for 2-4 days, even before flowering begins. Young leaves that have time to bloom are treated with a composition of polycarbocin. The main component of the product must be a mancozeb, which is extremely effective in combating curly foliage.
Holey spotting
Kleasterosporiasis or hole blotch is the most common fungal infection of all fruit trees. The main symptom of this disease is the appearance of small barely noticeable spots of burgundy color on the foliage of the tree, which transform into holes in the summer. Affected leaves subsequently begin to dry out and fall off.
The causative agent of hole spotting is prolonged rains and humidity. Untreated rotted plants and wood in a timely manner can provoke the development of kleasterosporiosis.
The disease can be prevented by removing the affected area of the fruit tree. However, it is not recommended to do this in humid and cloudy weather. Immediately treat the slice with a lime solution and a solution of copper sulfate. Remote branches are necessarily burned, which allows you to completely destroy the fungus.
Stone fruit scab
Stone fruit scab appears on young fruit trees. The main symptom is brownish-greenish spots on the fruit, which appear when the apricot reaches a diameter of 2-3 cm. Over time, the spots begin to darken and acquire a rough crust. This peculiar plaque is a concentration of fungal infection and contributes to the infection of the entire fetus, making it unsuitable for eating.
Treatment for scab bone is carried out in two stages: removal of the affected fruit and spraying the branches with a fungicidal agent three times with an interval of 12-14 days. Especially effective solutions, in the composition of which there is such a substance as 25% diphenoconazole.
Fusarium drying
Fusarium drying can be detected at the beginning of the spring period. Sores appear on the affected branch, the foliage becomes dull, and the bark acquires a pronounced sour aroma. Fusarium drying of an apricot tree proceeds in a chronic form, and its development is favored by sharp temperature drops, increased humidity, deficiency of the sun and the absence of top dressing. Fusarium susceptible trees with weak protective properties that have micro damage in the form of cuts or cracks.
It is possible to protect the apricot tree from fusarium drying only by carefully caring for it: treat wounds in a timely manner, cut, water and feed the soil.
The plant remains of an infected tree are one of the main carriers of infectious diseases, so they need to be burned after pruning.
Cytosporose drying
Of all the fruit varieties of trees, cytosporose drying most often occurs on apricot seedlings. A fungal infection enters a section of a tree and provokes its drying out. Cytosporosis can be recognized by brownish smudges on the top of the shoot. The bark of the trunk is covered with medium-sized spots, and the foliage begins to dry quickly. After some time, if untreated, the apricot tree dies.
The main condition for preventing cytosporotic drying is to protect the tree from damage. Any injuries to the apricot trunk must be treated immediately with the help of a garden var. If the plant has already caught an infection, it is completely impossible to cure it.
As a preventative measure, it is permissible to use top dressing for soil with potassium and phosphorus. Vitamins will allow the plant to develop protective functions, thereby creating a barrier to fungal infections.
Virticellosis wilting
Pathology manifests itself at the beginning of the summer period, through infection of branches and foliage. Before falling, the leaves acquire a dull yellowish tint. To make sure that the tree is sick precisely with verticillosis, cut the infected branch and examine it from the inside. The affected tree acquires brownish spots with strange curved lines. An adult plant dies gradually, not transiently. The infected tree stops growing, until death remains stunted and not bearing fruit.
This disease is characterized by wood necrosis. Unlike cytosporous drying, the affected branches inside blacken, and the bark and bast are kept alive.
Today it is impossible to cure verticellosis. The only effective way to prevent infection is to plant an apricot seedling in a healthy and good soil, where solanaceous trees have not grown before. The main causative agent of the disease is a fungus located in the soil, so before planting it is necessary to carry out fumigation (fumigation of the soil).
Pests of apricot trees and their treatment
The susceptibility of the apricot tree to various fungal diseases is not the only factor in reducing the number of crops. In addition to adverse weather and high humidity, the fruit tree is especially vulnerable to insects and pests. With the timely determination of the source of the disease, neutralizing the pest will be quite simple.
Fruit striped moth
Visually, the fruit striped moth resembles a small butterfly, it has the ability to destroy up to six shoots at once. Despite its small size, it can do tremendous harm to a stone plant. The caterpillar bites into the kidney or young shoot, thereby condemning them to death.
An effective way to get rid of fruit striped moths is to treat with insecticides. The most effective drugs are Metaphor and Chlorophos. The area affected by the striped moth should be removed and burned immediately. A fresh slice is processed by a garden var.
Leaflet
At first glance, the insect does not give the impression of a pest. It has an interesting tiger color and small size. The favorite delicacy of the tortoise is apricot tree leaves. To hide from possible danger, the insect folds a leaf into a tube in which it subsequently hides.
The fight against the leafworm consists in treating the plant with a concentrated solution of “Chlorofos”. However, this procedure is permissible only after harvesting.
Aphid
One of the most dangerous representatives of insects that can harm an apricot tree is aphids. It not only significantly reduces the protective properties of the plant, but also creates favorable conditions for the development of a disease such as soot fungus.
To learn about the aphid attack is simple - look under a couple of leaves of large branches. Aphids love to accumulate whole colonies in leaf veins. Curly foliage and crooked shoots indicate that this insect has already managed to cause significant damage to the plant.
Before fruiting, aphids can be eliminated by any specialized means. However, if the apricot has already given several fruits, there is only one way to deal with aphids - it does not tolerate harsh aroma and alkali, therefore, infusions made from laundry soap, garlic cloves and onion husks are sprayed onto the leaves.
Moth
The pest looks like a butterfly, the wingspan of which can reach 2 cm. The danger of this insect is to lay a large number of eggs in the ovary or on young shoots. By the end of the summer period, the codling moth switches to the fruits of the tree, after which it leaves for wintering in the bark and fallen leaves. The next season, the whole plant will be in the growing moths, which are able to eat leaves, bark and young inflorescences.
It is possible to protect the tree from the harmful effects of the insect by collecting it and timely removal of the infected areas. Traps made of fabric strips and a non-drying adhesive solution, which prevents the moth from climbing onto the tree bark, also help effectively.
Weevils
The bugs of a greenish or bluish tint that appeared on the apricot are weevils. Insects eat foliage of fruit trees for food, inevitably harming the buds, inflorescences and fruits of the plant. If in time they cannot be prevented from propagating on the foliage of the tree, then by the middle of summer most of the greenery will be damaged.
It is necessary to deal with the insect manually - collect and destroy all the bugs. As a prophylaxis, use special products such as Inta-Vir and Decis.
Apricot Disease Prevention
The apricot tree is quite easily exposed to various infectious diseases, so gardeners are urged to periodically implement not complicated preventive measures:
- Carefully approach the selection of material for planting and grafting.
- Treat with antiseptic all used tools and hands (it is better to use gloves).
- Strengthen the protective properties of the plant, through regular soil top dressing, which includes potassium and phosphorus.
- Treat fresh slices with garden varieties.
- Regularly whitewash the tree trunk with lime mortar.
Protecting Apricot from Pests and Diseases
Cloudy and rainy weather is a wonderful atmosphere for the development of fungal infections. But subject to the recommendations received from experienced gardeners, the probability of an apricot picking up a fungus is reduced to zero. The absence of disease and the harmful effects of harmful insects will help to obtain a rich harvest and healthy plant growth.
Apricot processing in spring
The main care of the plant is in the spring. At this time, the tree needs to be fed and protected from harmful insects and diseases. It is advisable to whitewash the trunks with lime diluted in water. After a few days, spray the foliage with fungicidal solutions: “Skor”, “Horus” or “Switch”.
As a preventive measure against pests, use insecticidal compounds - Actelika and Karbofosa. Do not forget that any chemical agent can be addictive. For example, insects can develop resistance to these drugs. Therefore, it is advisable to periodically change the means used.
It is required to regularly prune the foliage crown. This will not only give the tree a more well-groomed and neat appearance, but also allow you to remove old branches. Before the first leaves appear, the plant is treated with urea. The following proportions must be observed - 7 g of powder per 10 liters of water. This treatment not only allows you to saturate the apricot tree with all the necessary trace elements and vitamins for healthy growth, but also to eliminate most of the pests that managed to settle on it. You should be extremely careful with this drug and use it according to the manufacturer's recommendations indicated on the label. Violating the ratio of powder to liquid, there is a high probability of burning leaves.
Fruit and vegetable processing in summer and autumn
By the end of summer, preparatory work is needed for the next season, which will prevent the propagation of pests that have climbed into the bark of the tree and protect the apricot from a possible infection.
You can use the following recommendations:
- To get started, treat all mechanical damage to the bark with a garden var.
- Repeatedly whitewash the trunk with lime, but this time mix the agent with copper sulfate. Adding yellow clay to the composition makes the protection more resistant to moisture, which allows it to stay much longer.
- In the autumn, a 3% Bordeaux composition is a particularly effective tool to help suppress foci of an expanding fungus. It is especially effective in the early stages of gray rot and stone fruit scab. It will be most convenient to use a spray gun with a large nozzle, which will allow you to process not only the bark of the apricot tree, but also the lower part of the crown, especially prone to the harmful effects of harmful insects.
- Without fail, remove all affected areas from the plant and burn them, process the slices. It is also worth getting rid of fallen leaves, as harmful insects can hide in them, which again migrate to the bark of a tree.
Following simple tips for caring for an apricot tree, you can not only maintain the health of the plant, but also get a good harvest. The fight against various diseases and pests must be carried out in the initial stages, which will minimize the likelihood of negative consequences for the culture.