The leaves of the seedlings are curling, what is the reason?

Leaf curl is a particular problem for seedlings. Causes include uneven leaf development, nutrient deficiencies or excesses, improper care, pests, and disease. The initial problems are easy to resolve. Pests can be easily identified and treated. Disease is much more difficult to detect, much less save, if the plant is affected by bacterial or fungal infections.

Infectious diseases of tomatoes

DiseasesLeaf curling problems rarely occur in landscaped areas where the gardener carefully maintains the seedbeds and soil conditions. Weed control, soil cultivation, fertilization, and growing only healthy planting stock will provide effective protection against pests and diseases.

Fusarium wilt

It's difficult to detect. Bacterial fungi remain on unharvested plant debris, penetrating and clogging plant tissue. It's only noticeable when the stem begins to rot, a pink coating appears, and the lower leaves turn yellow and curl.

The following activities must be carried out:

• removal of infected organisms along with the soil surface;
• spraying healthy plants with potassium permanganate;
• sprinkling the garden bed with ash.

Infection can be prevented by properly preparing the soil and treating the seeds with a biological fungicide. A solution of potassium permanganate with added boric acid is suitable for protection against fusarium. This solution should be applied to the crops once at the root.

Powdery mildew

The infection is fungal in nature, spreading through the air and transmitted by household tools used to cultivate the area. Mildew spots appear as a white, reddish coating that slows down the sun's absorption process. People can wipe it off, thinking they've gotten rid of it, thereby spreading the coating. The leaves of affected plants begin to:

• curl up;
• turn yellow;
• fall off.

As a preventative measure, you need to use a fungicide; plants should be sprayed in the spring.

Powdery mildew is a dangerous disease that causes significant damage and can lead to death. Prevention:

• water moderately;
• maintain distance between seedlings;
• feed with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

https://youtu.be/bA3RLAGgYcI

Verticillium wilt

A fungal disease that causes wilting and loss of elasticity. Lower leaves curl and turn yellow, followed by the upper ones.

Symptoms appear even during flowering. The fungus gradually accumulates throughout the plant:

• root;
• casting;
• stem.

Bacteria penetrate through small roots, then through large ones. Young plants are most often affected. Verticillium wilt protection:

• do not over-water the soil;
• Use nitrogen fertilizers carefully to avoid damaging the roots when cultivating the soil.

Tobacco mosaic

Viral origin. Mosaic disease affects the cells at the cellular level and occurs during contact with diseased seedlings. Aphids, bugs, and mites are pests that facilitate the spread of the virus. It penetrates through damaged tissue, infecting the seeds.

The virus slows down the development, spots of different sizes, shapes, colors from green to white shades of twisted leaves appear.

Bacteriosis

Diseases caused by bacteria cause the slow death of individual parts, gradually affecting first the root, then the vascular system, and finally all other tissues.

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Spots may appear above and below ground, and over time, rot and death will occur. Resuscitation can be achieved by cutting off the rotted parts, treating them, and replanting them in dry, prepared soil.

Prevention and control measures

As a preventative measure, treat seedlings with a 1% Bordeaux mixture every ten days. If affected areas are detected, treat them twice as often with a 2% Bordeaux mixture.

You can also prepare an infusion of garlic and onions:

• 2 crushed onion heads;
• 4-5 garlic cloves.

Add room-temperature water, using the ratio of these ingredients per 5 liters. Let it steep for 24 hours, and continue to treat until recovery.

Use a saltpeter solution: 150 g of active ingredient per 10 liters of water. Spray outdoors every 5 days until signs of infection disappear.

When transplanting seedlings, add:

• tobacco dust;
• slaked lime;
• woody zone.

All 5 g per 1 kg of soil.

You can use whey. For minor infestations, spray the bushes with it.

To reduce the rate of fungal disease development, plants should be treated with chalk and dolomite flour. Infections do not survive in neutral, calcium-rich soil.

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Follow these simple rules for a rich harvest:

• use healthy seeds for planting;
• choose varieties that are resistant to diseases;
• Before planting, soak in a fungicide solution for 30 minutes;
• When removing an infected plant, remove it along with the root soil;
• burn removed plants to prevent the infection from spreading;
• wash garden tools after work, treat them with technical alcohol;
• wash garden utensils, treat with bleach;
• disinfect the soil before planting or after removing the infected organism;
• fertilize the soil.

Plant diseases are always unpleasant. But they can and should be combated. And proper prevention will ensure healthy seedlings.