How and what to deal with diseases of pepper seedlings
Pepper seedlings are prepared 3 months before planting in the ground. The seedling method protects the crop from sudden weather changes and improves seed germination. However, even if all planting rules are followed, seedlings can get sick with a viral, fungal or bacterial disease. Let us consider in more detail the diseases of pepper seedlings and their treatment.
The content of the article
Causes of the appearance of diseases of pepper seedlings
One of the main causes of disease is contaminated seeds... In order to prevent the development of the disease, disinfection is carried out using a solution of potassium permanganate or Bordeaux liquid. Disinfection destroys dangerous microbes on the surface of seeds, strengthens the immunity of the future plant.
Diseases also arise from poor-quality soil... The ground should be free of weeds, larvae, debris. Before planting seedlings, the soil is disinfected, cleaned of grass residues. For disinfection, use heating in the oven or place in the freezer for a day.
Proper care is also important.... If the watering and feeding regime is not followed, the risk of getting sick increases. Other reasons include an overabundance of minerals, lack of sunlight and heat. It is important to water and fertilize the seedlings on time. If the seeds are sown in small containers, then after 15 days from the moment of planting, the plant is transplanted into a larger container - they dive.
Important! Attention is paid to the processing of seedling containers. The container is thoroughly washed with warm water, wiped dry with a clean towel. If the seedlings are planted in milk or kefir boxes, then they are additionally wiped with a weak solution of manganese.
Types of diseases and methods of combating them
All diseases of sweet pepper are divided into three groups.: fungal, viral and bacterial. We will analyze each category in detail and identify the causes of infection.
Fungal diseases
Fungal diseases are actively developing due to high humidity, therefore, it is important to observe the watering regime and moisten the seedling at the root, bypassing the stems and leaves.
Blackleg
Causes of the disease - thickened planting, waterlogging, lack of heat. For prevention, seeds and soil are disinfected, varieties that are resistant to fungal diseases are selected.
The fungus lives in the upper layers of the soil, however, when touched with roots, it penetrates the plant. The roots become dark brown, the stem becomes weak. If a fungus is found, the affected seedlings are removed, and the remaining shoots are treated with the "HOM" preparation or Bordeaux liquid.
Gray rot
Signs of gray mold - brown spots and gray bloom at the base of the stem... Fungus appears due to stuffiness, cold water, tight containers. For prophylaxis, spraying of bushes with copper sulfate is used.
If the pepper is already sick, the infected seedlings are removed, and the healthy ones are transplanted into a new container and treated with Fitosporin.
Fusarium
Fusarium wilting appears due to sudden temperature changes, lack of mineral and organic components in the soil - nitrogen, calcium, potassium, phosphorus. The plant wilts and sheds leaves, which occurs due to vascular blockage.
It is impossible to cure infected seedlings, they will be eliminated... The remaining sprouts are treated with "Maxim" and sprayed with a solution based on milk whey.
Good to know:
Step-by-step instructions for growing pepper seedlings
Late blight
One of the most common fungal diseases. It appears due to contaminated soil, watering with cold tap water, temperature changes.
Recognize late blight by brown and brown spots... If the symptoms of infection are not detected in time, the plant withers and dries up.
For prevention use:
- spraying with nettle solution;
- dry wood ash processing;
- treatment with "Previkur" or "Oxyhom" preparations.
In case of infection, the seedlings cannot be saved - they are removed, and the remaining plants are transplanted into a clean, disinfected container.
Bacterial diseases
The causative agents of the disease are bacteria that live in soil, water, insect larvae... It is not easy to identify a bacterial disease of seedlings - you need to know the features of the symptoms.
Black bacterial spot
Small black dots appear on the stem and leaveswhich are getting bigger over time. Bacteria spread throughout the plant, disrupting the body's metabolism. For prevention, pepper is sprayed with soapy water, Bordeaux liquid. Affected seedlings are destroyed.
Important! Hardening helps to avoid bacterial black spot. Seedlings are taken out on a balcony or street daily for 2-3 hours, or the seedlings are placed in a freezer. Hardening strengthens the immunity of seedlings and prepares them for planting in the garden.
Lightning-fast bacterial wilting
Bacteria in high humidity conditions penetrate into the vessels of the plant and release toxins... Soon the bushes wither, the leaves dry. For prophylaxis, seeds are disinfected in a solution of succinic acid.
In case of infection, the affected bushes are removed from the container, and the remaining seedlings are dived and sprayed with Previkur.
Soft bacterial rot
Wet rot appears as a weak stem and dark spots on the leaves and stem... Bacteria disrupt the work of blood vessels, the bushes slowly fade. It is recommended to regularly ventilate the room, but avoid drafts. Spraying with a solution of milk and iodine will help to avoid rot. Infected seedlings cannot be treated.
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Pepper bacterial cancer
The development of bacterial cancer is promoted by a hot climate, thickened planting, excessive watering... Small dots appear on the leaves, which eventually spread throughout the bush. If found, the seedlings are sprayed with a mustard solution or treated with a solution based on burdock leaves. Affected seedlings are removed from the container.
Viral diseases
Viruses live in plant debris, soil, weeds... Therefore, it is important to disinfect and clean the soil before planting. The danger of the virus is that it first penetrates the plant cells and only then begins to develop. It is impossible to destroy the virus, the only way to save the crop is to eliminate the affected bushes.
Tobacco mosaic
The tobacco mosaic virus appears in the form of a yellow-green pattern on the leaves. Blackening of the leaf plate is also observed, falling off. Favorable conditions for development are low light and high humidity. Infection occurs through seeds, water, soil.
If you don't take action deformed peppers with a bitter taste grow from such seedlings... For prophylaxis, watering with manganese solution, spraying with milk whey is used.
Pillar
The virus lives in weeds, plant debris, soil... When damaged, the leaves turn yellow and dry out, the bush stops growing. For prevention, the ground is carefully loosened with a fork so that the soil becomes light and airy.
Spraying with "Barrier" or "Oxyhom" preparations will help to protect pepper from stolbur.
Pepper disease prevention measures
For prevention use folk remedies, professional garden preparations, pharmaceutical medicines.
The most effective are recognized:
Laundry soap-based solution: 1 liter of water requires 20 g of dry grated soap.- Spraying with boric and succinic acid, Bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate.
- Processing with a solution of red hot pepper: for 2 liters of water, 150 g of dry pods are required.
- Introduction of mineral and organic fertilizing: manure, droppings, potassium superphosphate, ammonium nitrate.
- Use of mineral organic dressings - "Zdraven", "Magic watering can".
- Spraying with Fitosporin, Previkur, Maxim, Oksikhom preparations.
- Introduction of the growth stimulator "Kornevin".
- Germination and hardening of seeds before planting.
- Spraying with a solution of iodine and milk: 1 liter of water requires 15 drops of iodine and 300 ml of milk.
Important! When spraying bushes, the spray bottle must be clean. The distance between the spray gun and the plant is at least 50 cm. When using complex mineral dressings or professional products, observe the dosage and manufacturer's recommendations. It is not recommended to treat one disease with several means at the same time.
Conclusion
Seedlings of bell pepper need timely watering and feeding. If the growing rules are not followed, diseases of the leaves and stems appear. These can be both viral diseases, for example, stolbur or tobacco mosaic, and fungi - fusarium or late blight.
The bacterial group includes black spot or soft rot. To prevent diseases, seeds are thoroughly disinfected. They are planted only in a clean container and disinfected soil. Spraying with manganese or milk whey helps to avoid diseases.