Diseases and pests on cauliflower and methods of dealing with them

Cauliflower is difficult to grow: it reacts sensitively to changes in temperature conditions, is demanding on the composition of the soil and is photophilous. It's a shame if the work turns out to be in vain due to a plant disease or insect attack. Vegetable growers successfully cope with most infections and dangerous pests by taking timely measures, but some problems have specific characteristics.

Diseases of cauliflower

Cauliflower is bred by selection and does not occur in the wild, so it is not surprising that it is highly susceptible to various diseases. The culture reacts negatively even to minor changes in the soil, does not tolerate waterlogging and violation of the rules of care.

Mildew-like white rot

White rot is a fungal disease that occurs on an already harvested crop if the storage conditions are violated, in particular at a humidity level above 80%. It is difficult to notice it. On the surface of the inflorescences appear spider-like formations of white color with rare black dots, similar in appearance to mold, and the stem and leaves are covered with mucous secretions.

Control and prevention measures:

• before planting cabbage lime the soil;
• spray plants during the growth period with preparations with copper;
• process premises for storing crops with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• carefully inspect vegetables before storing them, remove affected specimens;
• observe the recommended mode of humidity (up to 80%) and air temperature (up to + 1 ° C).

It is forbidden to eat such cabbage. The affected heads are discarded immediately.

Gray rot

The manifestation of this disease is noticeable already during storage of the harvested crop. First, gray spots appear on the inflorescences, the decay process starts, mucus appears on the damaged surface and a cotton-like fluff forms.

Measures to prevent gray mold infestation in cabbage:

• disinfect the room and containers in which the crop will be stored with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• normalize the temperature regime (up to + 1 ° C).

The main cause of this disease is wet and cold weather.

Keela

This is one of the most dangerous diseases for cauliflower. The causative agent is a microscopic fungus that causes deep damage to the root system. As a result, nodular formations appear in this part of the plant, metabolism is disrupted, growth slows down and the culture dies.

To prevent the spread of the disease:

• infected heads of cabbage are completely removed from the site;
• the soil is irrigated with a fungicide solution or Bordeaux liquid;
• weeding regularly.

If the land plot has been infected, cauliflower is planted on it no earlier than 5 years later.

Mosaic virus

The mosaic virus is spread by the transfer of sap from infected plants. A vegetable pest is involved in this - aphids. Infection of seedlings is signaled by their growth arrest and yellowing of the stems. Leaves become stained and fall off.

Steps to prevent the spread of the virus:

• before planting, the seed is disinfected by soaking it for 20 minutes in hot water (up to + 50 ° C) and drying it afterwards;
• monitor the temperature regime for seedlings (not higher than + 20 ° C);
• the affected specimens are dug out of the soil, trying not to damage the root system, and disposed of;
• observe the recommended mode of humidity (up to 80%) and air temperature (up to + 1 ° C);
• weeding is carried out systematically.

The development of the disease provokes oversaturation of the soil with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

Mucous and vascular bacteriosis

Mucous bacteriosis is one of the most common cauliflower diseases. It directly affects the inflorescences, manifests itself in the form of focal decay of leaves, which move to the head of cabbage, provoking the appearance of black spots and a putrid odor.

The problem is solved as follows:

• weed the beds regularly;
• the soil is not waterlogged;
• fight vegetable pests;
• disinfect pantries.

Vascular bacteriosis is no less common, which manifests itself absolutely at all stages of culture development. It causes significant damage to the crop. The external manifestations of infection of the vascular system of cabbage look like this: the appearance of yellow dots along the edges of the tops, their growth towards the center, blackening of the veins. As a result, the leaves dry out and crumble.

Reference. The causative agents of the disease (bacteria) are spread by cabbage flies, slugs, bed bugs; they are transferred with raindrops, remain in plant debris, and up to 3 years in seeds.

There are no effective methods of fighting the infection, therefore, prevention is observed:

• the area from which the infected vegetables were removed is treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur (concentration - 0.4%);
• the next time, cauliflower is planted no earlier than 3 years later;
• inoculum is soaked in Agata-25 solution in accordance with the instructions.

Favorable weather conditions for the development of vascular bacteriosis are warm autumn with high air humidity.

Fusarium

This fungal disease is incurable, since the spores that enter the soil remain active for a long time. External manifestations of infection: yellowing of the leaves is gradually complemented by brown or brown dots, which grow over the entire area. As a result, the leaves fall off.

Preventive measures:

• the affected vegetables are disposed of;
• the soil is irrigated with a solution of copper sulfate;
• observe the rules of crop rotation.

Chlamydiospores of the pathogenic fungus remain in the soil for up to 11 years. Dry and hot weather at the beginning of the growing season contributes to their activation.

Blackleg

Blackleg, or Rhizoctoniae, is a direct threat to young plants and seedlings... The stem of an infected seedling becomes covered with black spots, becomes thinner and dies. Other vegetable crops are also susceptible to this disease: sweet peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, radishes, lettuce, potatoes. Therefore, a cauliflower infected with a blackleg poses a direct threat to neighboring beds.

Blackleg control measures:

• treatment of the beds with a fungicide;
• preliminary soaking of the seed in a solution of potassium permanganate and pouring holes with it after removing diseased seedlings;
• avoidance of dense plantation;
• liming of the soil.

The cultivation of cabbage in acidic soil, excessive moisture, lack of ventilation and dense planting contribute to the development of the disease.

Downy mildew

Another fungal disease of cauliflower is manifested in the formation of whitish bloom and yellow spots on the foliage. The disease affects the testes and stems, black and brown lesions appear on them. Downy mildew significantly slows down crop growth.

They fight peronosporosis by such methods:

• after harvesting, all residues of crops and weeds are carefully removed from the beds;
• they dig up the earth;
• before planting young plants, the soil is irrigated with a fungicide solution;
• the seed is placed in hot water for 20 minutes (no more than + 50 ° C) and for 3 in cold water;
• when the first signs of the disease are detected, the seedlings are sprayed three times with a solution of ground sulfur;
• the affected plants are destroyed.

If the disease has not affected the inflorescences, it is allowed to eat such a product.

Pests on cauliflower

Not only diseases harm cauliflower at their summer cottage. Various insect pests pose no less danger to it. Some of them even manage to be detected only after they cause significant damage to the crop.

Cabbage aphid

This pest is found in many areas. Cabbage aphids multiply rapidly, feed on plant sap, causing irreparable harm to cauliflower, the foliage of which is covered with a pink bloom and curled up.

Aphid control:

• treatment of the affected culture with soapy water;
• use of insecticides;
• clearing the site from weeds;
• digging up the beds before transferring seedlings into open ground.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are one of the developmental stages of white-faced butterflies or moths. Insects lay eggs on the leaves of the vegetable, and the hatched larvae actively destroy them. If at first they eat only leaves, then as they grow up they get to the inflorescences.

In order for the fight against caterpillars to be successful, adhere to the following rules for caring for cauliflower:

• systematically examine the culture for pests;
• collect and destroy eggs of insects and the caterpillars themselves;
• treat vegetables with low-toxic insecticides.

Spraying of inflorescences should not be neglected. Some caterpillars go so deep into them that manual collection does not work.

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Cabbage flies

This insect lays eggs in the soil around the plant and on its stem. As the larvae grow, they destroy not only the cauliflower itself, but also the surrounding crops.

Control measures for cabbage flies:

• dig up the soil regularly;
• spud heads of cabbage at least once a month;
• show the inflorescences with wood ash;
• treat planting with insecticides.

Cruciferous fleas

These insects are most common on young plants, preferring to feed on cabbage leaves. Small black bugs actively gnaw through the tops, creating many holes, which leads to its death. Pests are able to quickly destroy all planting material.

Stop the cruciferous flea invasion as follows:

• systematically dig up the soil;
• weeds are carefully weeded out;
• cover plants in the heat with dense material;

For prevention, plants are planted around the cabbage, the aroma of which does not tolerate the pest. These include tomatoes, marigolds, tansy, coriander, garlic, dill, caraway seeds, calendula, and wormwood.

Slugs

Slugs are not a big problem for cauliflower. Although they are found on almost every plant, they do not cause significant harm to the culture. These molluscs, similar in appearance to snails, feed on plant juices, gnawing their stems, foliage and fruits. In cauliflower, only the underside is usually affected.

Important! There are no specific means of dealing with slugs, and it is best to remove them manually.

Since these pests prefer moist soils, adherence to an irrigation regime without excessive moisture and liquid stagnation will prevent their appearance.

Conclusion

Since it is difficult to fight diseases and pests of cauliflower, it is important to direct the main efforts to preventive measures. The use of pesticides in this regard is not always justified, therefore folk methods and compliance with the rules of cultivation will help to cope with most problems. Another mandatory action is the disinfection of the beds after harvest.