Potato cancer is considered a dangerous disease, found in many regions. The disease is especially dangerous for tubers. If you do not detect foci of infection in a timely manner, you can lose a significant part of the crop.
When growing potatoes, many summer residents are faced with a disease such as cancer. The fungus infects the tubers, as a result of which they become unfit for human consumption. The disease is quarantined, it can completely destroy the crop.
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Symptoms
Light tubercles can be seen on infected tubers. Over time, they become brown, outgrowths form from them. In appearance, the growths are similar to cauliflower inflorescences. In addition, tubercles appear in the axils of the leaves, on inflorescences.
In hot weather, cancer can be presented in other forms: leaf-shaped, corrugated, scab:
- Leaf-shaped - growths appear on the peel, acquiring the shape of leaves.
- Corrugated - the surface becomes uneven, the skin becomes wrinkled.
- Scab - on the peel appear small scabs.
Biology
The disease begins to develop with excessive soil moisture. Tubers are primarily affected. Growths appear if adjacent cells come into contact with the affected. After a certain time, zoosporangia are formed. In autumn, they enter the soil and winter there, and in the summer they again begin their active action.
Potato Cancer Danger
For humans, the disease is also dangerous. Infected vegetables lose their presentation, are not suitable for eating.
Ways to spread cancer
Potato cancer is pictured. The causes of the spread of the disease are many, the main ones are the following:
- cysts in the ground;
- moist soil;
- crop rotation failure;
- infected root crops;
- growing unstable varieties.
Methods of control and protection against potato cancer
There are several ways to protect crops from the disease. Each of the options will help preserve the crop.
Agrotechnical methods
Agrotechnical methods are to reveal as many cysts as possible. After the winter period, only 30% of zoosporangia awakens.
To protect plants, the following measures must be taken:
- in the beds where potatoes grew, corn, rye and legumes should be planted. These cultures are able to clear the site of spores;
- in the spring, apply manure to the soil. If necessary, you can disinfect the ground with granular urea;
- preference should be given to varieties that can resist cancer.
Chemical methods
To preserve the crop, tubers must be treated with chemicals before planting. For this, planting material must be laid for half an hour in a solution of Benomil or Fundazole.
To eliminate the source of infection, the soil must be treated with pesticides. Well proven Nitrofen solution. The procedure is dangerous. Work should be entrusted to specialists.
Preventive actions
Cancer prevention also gives good results. As you know, the disease is easier to prevent than to cure.
To avoid infection, the following measures should be taken:
- Potatoes can only be returned to their original place after 3 years;
- it is forbidden to plant nightshade crops near potatoes;
- timely weeding;
- carefully select seeds and manure, avoiding quarantine zones.
What varieties of potato are resistant to cancer
You can find out what potato cancer looks like in the photo. Protecting crops from the disease and getting a good harvest is easy. Experienced gardeners recommend only varieties that are able to withstand the disease for planting. Such plants will help clear the area of fungus in a few years.
As for the mid-early, you can choose from the following varieties: Spark, Table 19, Zorka, Savory, Lviv white.
The following options can be distinguished from medium-late ones: Viliya, Sulev, Pavlinka, Candidate.
If we consider imported varieties, Arosa, Bellarosa, Rosar have proven themselves well.
Reviews
Many summer residents are faced with a problem such as potato cancer. Care for crops must be carefully, the disease can destroy the entire crop. Gardeners are happy to share their secrets, perhaps some of them will be very useful.
Yuri, 46 years old:
“Potato cancer is a dangerous disease. At the suburban area appeared relatively recently. Tubers, leaves, flowers became infected. I had to get rid of some of the crop.
The following year, planted potatoes in a new plot. No foci of charging were noted. In addition, he used resistant varieties for planting and regularly inspected crops. I can say with confidence that if you properly care for potatoes, there should be no problems. ”
Even a novice summer resident should be familiar with the signs of potato cancer. This will help protect crops and preserve crops. It is important to remember that the infected area becomes quarantined and unsuitable for growing crops. You will have to carry out a number of events to get rid of the dispute.
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