Let's save cucumbers from blackleg using simple methods

The appearance of blackleg on cucumbers is a problem faced by almost every gardener. This disease quickly spreads throughout the entire crop, destroying the plants. Therefore, it is crucial to react quickly and take measures to eliminate this dangerous fungus, and then to effectively prevent its recurrence.

What is the reason?

The plant is affected by fungal growth not only on the roots but also in the soil itself. This form is resistant to adverse external influences and easily survives even in nutrient-deficient conditions.

The damage and the first visible signs are caused by a critical accumulation of parasitic fungi. This occurs due to inadequate soil management or the application of contaminated fertilizer. Some obvious causes of blackleg on cucumbers include insufficiently thorough container cleaning, a lack of healthy crop rotation, and the rotation of crops within a plot over several years.

The rapid development of fungal diseases is always facilitated by factors such as:

• overwatering;
• sudden changes in temperature;
• lower temperatures at night;
• insufficiently loose and fertilized soil;
• low illumination.

Symptoms

Blackleg primarily affects the weakest shoots and youngest seedlings. The first symptoms become most noticeable during the period of cotyledon leaf emergence and active development. The initial stage of the disease is characterized by discoloration of the root collar: it turns brown and changes shape, becoming clearly constricted. Degenerative processes also occur in the root system: small and young roots turn yellow and become thinner.

At the next stage of development, the disease affects the cotyledon leaves. They begin to wilt, turn yellow, and fall off. Another symptom becomes noticeable: the lower part of the root collar becomes wet, changes color, and darkens. Eventually, the plant dies completely.

You can tell if the soil in this area is contaminated even before planting cucumber seedlings. Blackleg attacks many flowering plants, including perennials. Stocks and snapdragons are particularly susceptible to fungal infections.

How to treat

Blackleg is easiest to combat with preventative measures, but if the disease has already invaded a greenhouse or a plot of land and affected seedlings, the weakest plants should be destroyed along with the root ball. In some cases, the fungal infection is so severe that all seedlings become infected, in which case other control measures are recommended.

Change terms

First of all, it's necessary to completely eliminate soil overwatering and improve air penetration to ensure active drying. To do this, you need to:

• reduce watering to a minimum;
• add sand to the top layer of soil or simply fill the bed;
• cover crops to protect them from the cold.

If cucumbers are grown in containers and the gardener has access to a greenhouse, it's important to prevent the soil layer beneath the crops from cooling. This can be done by placing several cardboard boxes under the container or by placing a folded foam sheet between the bottom and the bud.

Additionally, you can sprinkle the roots and root collar with dry ash; this “drying” must be repeated daily.

Carry out processing

One of the most effective ways to deal with fungus is watering with special solutions, including:

• mixture of organic fertilizers;
• Bordeaux mixture solution;
• potassium permanganate concentrate.

Bordeaux mixture is an affordable solution that is safe for the plant and its future fruit. One liter of solution is required per square meter of soil. The required and safe concentration of the active ingredient is 1 percent. In addition to this treatment, potassium permanganate solutions can be used: add 5-7 grams of the solution to one bucket of water (an average of 5-8 liters). The area to be treated should be calculated in the same way as when using Bordeaux mixture.

After active treatment, it's important to maintain the plants' immunity and their ability to resist fungal infections. An ash solution is ideal for this purpose. Take 2 cups of the dry mixture and pour in a liter of boiled, not cold, water. After steeping for 10 hours, dilute with water to make 10 liters of the finished mixture. Water regularly, using a moderate watering schedule. It's also permissible to treat adjacent crops that haven't yet shown signs of the disease. Crops such as radishes, peppers, cabbage, and tomatoes are particularly susceptible to this type of fungal infection.

Resistant varieties

Cucumber varieties resistant to fungal diseases include:

• "Murashka F1";
• "Spring";
• Delicatessen
• "April";
• "Nezhinsky".

The "Nezhinsky" variety was developed specifically for risky farming regions. It tolerates low temperatures, low light, and blackleg. The small fruits are ideal for canning. They grow both in greenhouses and in the open ground.

The "Aprelsky" hybrid is suitable for temperate and southern climates, where it produces its first fruits as early as April. The main difference is the size of the fruit. Cucumbers over 22 centimeters long and weighing up to 250 grams are typical for this variety.

The "Delikatesny" variety is tolerant of both high humidity and cold, making it immune to most fungal diseases. Its main distinguishing feature is its higher sugar content, which imparts a unique flavor to the fruit.

The F1 varieties "Murashka" and "Rodnichok" have been familiar to experienced gardeners for several decades. They are undemanding in open ground conditions, easily tolerating heavy and even marshy soils, while producing uniform, medium-sized fruits with large pimples.

Effective prevention

You can avoid infection by choosing the right seedlings, preparing them properly for planting, and removing harmful microorganisms from the soil. First of all, carefully inspect the seedlings if they were purchased at a market or nursery. If the plant already shows signs of disease, it should not be planted at all. It is recommended to soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and you can also rinse the roots of purchased seedlings in this solution before planting.

Soil preparation involves pouring boiling water and potassium permanganate over the soil. The solution can be prepared in the same proportions as for treating infected plants. Repeat the procedure several times if infestations have already occurred in the area. The soil for boxes and containers should be prepared in a similar manner.

Adviсe

Blackleg can still appear even when all preventative measures have been taken. To avoid this, follow a few simple rules.

1. Calculate the planting density. This is especially important for those with small plots or planting vertically growing cucumbers. Planting too densely prevents the soil from aerating and drying out, leading to mold growth.
2. During the seedling growing period, pay special attention to the soil condition after watering. A light white coating is highly undesirable, as it is the first sign of mold development. This can be prevented by sprinkling the soil with ash or ensuring better ventilation in the container.
3. A few days after planting, it's recommended to stop watering for 2-3 days, then loosen the soil without disturbing the roots and hill up the plant. Water in furrows at a sufficient distance from the stem for the next two to three weeks.

Blackleg is a dangerous disease that, once it appears, can ruin several crops over the course of subsequent seasons. However, it can be combated even with home remedies, following basic agricultural practices.