Fusarium head blight is an extremely harmful disease of cereal crops, including wheat. Owners of private farms who grow grain must be able to cope with this disease. In this article we will talk about fusarium blight on wheat, talk about symptoms and modern control methods.

The causative agent and symptoms of fusarium blight in wheat

Fusarium of cereals – infection, which is caused by fungi belonging to the genus Fusarium. The specific type of fungus depends on the region and climatic conditions. For example, in the south of Russia, wheat is more often affected by Fusarium graminearum, in more northern regions - Fusarium avenaceum.

Sporulation of all shades of red or pink is the main symptom of fusarium blight in wheat.

The characteristic manifestations of fusarium are as follows:

• the scales on the formed spikelets become dark and oily;
• signs of conidial sporulation appear on the scales: in Fusarium graminearum - loose pink and reddish pads, in Fusarium avenaceum - bright red waxy pads;
• the ear is covered with a spore-bearing coating completely or at the top;
• pads are observed in leaf sheaths and on stem nodes;
• White mycelium is visible on the grains.

The listed symptoms are found on ears closer to grain ripening. Infection occurs much earlier - during wheat flowering. Fusarium mycelium can infect grain to varying degrees. With a small lesion, it penetrates only into the membrane. If it is strong, it goes into the deep layers, where protein decomposition begins.

Distribution and harmfulness of fusarium blight in wheat

Geographically, fusarium of cereals is widespread in all areas where grain crops are cultivated. Fusarium spores are carried by the wind and infect the flowering ear. The pathogen can survive the winter on stubble and other crop residues, as well as on infected grain.

The Fusarium pathogen can overwinter both in the form of spores and in the form of mycelium.

The harmfulness of fusarium lies in the fact that infected grain becomes unsuitable for food and even dangerous to health. As a result of the vital activity of the mycelium, mycotoxins accumulate inside the grain, causing severe poisoning. They are not destroyed by heat treatment, so if bread is baked from diseased grains, after eating it, vomiting, diarrhea and symptoms resembling severe alcohol intoxication. Hence the popular name for fusarium blight in cereals – “drunken bread”.

Grain affected by fusarium differs from healthy grain in the following ways:

• colorless or slightly pinkish dull surface;
• frailty and wrinkling;
• a coating of mycelium is noticeable in the groove;
• decrease or loss of glassiness, crumbling of the endosperm;
• A dark, dead embryo is visible on the cut.

The germination rate of diseased grain is zero or very low. In addition, it is poorly stored, cakes, and at a certain temperature and humidity mycelium grows.

Tip #1. If wheat has been affected by fusarium blight, even healthy-looking grain can be expected to contain mycotoxins. Therefore, if more than 5% of the crops are infected, the entire crop will have to be disposed of.

Risk factors: conditions for the spread of fusarium blight in wheat

For the spread and development of fusarium blight in wheat, appropriate weather conditions are required. The most severe damage to crops is observed in years with warm and damp summers. The most favorable conditions for morbidity are air temperature during flowering from +20 to +30 0 C and air humidity from 75%. In addition, the following agrotechnical errors can create a serious risk:

The high standing density of wheat creates a microclimate suitable for the development of the disease.

Mistake #1. Fine tillage.

According to data published by the All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, in fields where the soil was plowed with rotation of the layer, the prevalence of fusarium blight on wheat was about 15%. In experimental fields that were treated superficially, this figure reached almost 49%.

Mistake #2. Poor field cleaning.

Since the pathogen overwinters on plant debris, after harvesting the wheat it is necessary to clear the field of it. All crop residues must be chopped and plowed deep into the soil. Their mineralization is accelerated, and the amount of preserved infectious material is significantly reduced.

Mistake #3. Improper storage of seed.

Increased humidity, self-heating of grain or its damage by insects contribute to infection of the seed, and then outbreaks of fusarium on the field.

An additional risk factor is non-compliance with the rules of sowing shifts. The more saturated the crop rotation is with grains, the more pathogens accumulate in the soil. Beetroot is also an unfavorable predecessor for wheat.

Tip #2. If a Fusarium infestation is detected in a field, it is important to choose the right wheat harvesting tactics. It is recommended to carry it out as quickly as possible and subject the grain to immediate drying.

Agrochemical methods for combating fusarium blight in wheat

The optimal time for protective treatment of wheat against fusarium is from the 2nd day before flowering to the 2nd day after it begins.

Unfortunately, in the fight against fusarium head blight it is impossible to do without agrochemicals. Chemical fungicides should be used even before sowing - to treat the seeds. There are different methods of pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds:

Method	The essence of the method
Dry seed dressing	Sprinkling the seed with dry fungicide powder. The disadvantage of this method is the uneven distribution of the dressing agent throughout the grain mass.
Semi-dry seed dressing	Treatment of seeds with liquid preparations, with low consumption (5-10 liters per ton), without unnecessary moisture and the need for subsequent drying. The disadvantage of this method is the need for special equipment.
Wet seed treatment	Watering or spraying seeds aqueous solution fungicide followed by drying.

In addition to dressing, spraying is also necessary during the growing season. Long-term studies of wheat crop protection products show that drugs from the group of triazoles and benzimidazoles demonstrate the greatest effectiveness against head fusarium blight. In particular, the following can be applied:

Drug name	Mode of application	Frequency of processing
"Avial"	Spraying in the phases of flag leaf, ear extension or beginning of heading. The consumption rate of the working solution is 300 l/ha.	1
"Amistar Extra"	Spraying in the stages of heading and beginning of flowering. Treatment is possible at the first signs of fusarium to stop the process. The consumption rate of the working solution is 300 l/ha.	2
"Colfugo Super"	Pre-sowing treatment at the rate of 10 l/t. Spraying in the stages of heading and beginning of flowering at a consumption of 300 l/ha.	2
"Prosaro"	Spraying in the phases of flag leaf, ear extension or beginning of flowering. The consumption rate of the working solution is 200-300 l/ha.	1-2

Biological method of combating fusarium blight in wheat

Agrochemical preparations can be supplemented and their effectiveness can be increased with the help of biological products. The developers base them on any strain of microorganisms that exhibit antagonistic activity against a particular pathogen. The fungi Trihoderma lignorum and bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens exhibit the greatest antagonistic behavior towards Fusarium. But since the simultaneous use of beneficial fungi and fungicides is impossible, only preparations based on pseudomonads remain in the farmer’s arsenal:

There are also eco-technologies that allow you to grow healthy wheat using only biological products - without chemical fungicides. For example, for pre-sowing seed treatment, it is recommended to use a mixture of Trichodermin and Planriz. Then spray the wheat crops with this mixture twice – in the sprouting and tillering phases. In the phase of exit into the tube, perform another treatment by adding Becimid (Lepidocid) to the initial mixture.

Agrotechnical methods for combating fusarium blight in wheat

Small areas for sowing grain can be conveniently processed with mini-tractors.

The main agrotechnical methods for preventing fusarium in wheat fields are deep autumn plowing, careful harvesting of plant residues and sowing in compliance with the density of wheat standing.

Wheat varieties resistant to fusarium

There are no wheat varieties that are completely immune to fusarium blight. They are differentiated by the degree of resistance or susceptibility. It has been noted that soft wheat varieties, on average, resist Fusarium damage better than durum varieties.

Among the varieties that exhibit satisfactory resistance are winter wheat Esaul, Delta, Batko, Veda, Kingfisher, Tanya, Soratnitsa, Moskvich. Spring wheat is generally more susceptible to fusarium blight. The soft variety Svecha, which is characterized by a high degree of adaptability to agroclimatic conditions, shows good resistance.

Particular attention should be paid to the prevention of fusarium in areas of risky agriculture with a humid climate.

The summary list of preventive measures to prevent fusarium blight in wheat is as follows:

• mandatory pre-sowing treatment of seeds with fungicides:
• deep plowing of the soil;
• compliance with wheat seeding standards and stem density;
• timely preventive spraying of seedlings with fungicides;
• timely harvesting;
• good drying of the collected grain;
• compliance with the humidity and temperature conditions in the granary;
• preliminary disinfestation of granaries before filling grain for storage;
• thorough cleaning of fields after harvesting;
• compliance with crop rotation rules;
• sowing resistant varieties of wheat will also reduce the risk of Fusarium infection of crops.

Current questions about fusarium blight in wheat

Question No. 1. Is it possible to use fusarium-infected wheat to feed livestock and poultry?

It is forbidden. Fusarium mycotoxins cause severe liver and kidney damage in animals, ulcerative stomatitis, skin necrosis, and reduce their reproductive function.

Question No. 2. Is it possible to get rid of fusarium in wheat using folk remedies?

It is forbidden. Fusarium – serious problem, the solution of which must be approached responsibly and used only modern methods. No folk remedy guarantees that the mycelium will not be preserved under the shell of the grains.

Question No. 3. What crop plants can Fusarium wheat spread to?

Any cereal can be affected - rye, oats, barley, corn, rice. Some Fusarium species of wheat cause Fusarium root rot of legumes.

Question No. 4. How to properly dispose of fusarium-infected grain?

In practice, grain affected by fusarium can be used to produce acetone or industrial alcohol. If it is not possible to hand it over to an acetone-butyl plant, it is better to burn the crop. You cannot put it in compost pits.

Fusarium wilt / fusarium - signs

Over the last decade, bacterial fungi of the genus Fusarium have begun to fatally affect plantings of not only agricultural crops (cereals, pumpkins, nightshades, legumes, beets), but also almost all vegetable flora grown by amateurs in their gardens. At the same time, root rot, otherwise known as fusarium wilt, does not bypass flower beds with bulbous plants, young trees in the garden, and affects berry bushes. The source of Fusarium wilt development is contaminated seeds, planting material or soil.

Protecting plants from disease is complicated by the fact that bacterial fungi can remain in the soil or on unharvested plant debris for a long time, from where they subsequently penetrate into the cultivated crops, clogging the conducting channels and vessels in their plant tissues. The initial infection of the disease is virtually impossible to determine by eye, since Fusarium wilt becomes visible on plantings in its middle stage of spread, when the leaves of the affected crop quickly turn yellow, then curl up and die.

The disease reduces the vitality of the entire plant, since bacterial fungi completely disrupt its root nutrition and photosynthesis. The development of Fusarium wilt is favored by a lack of light and a soil and air temperature of about +28°C.

For example, in gladioli, fusarium manifests itself in yellowing of the upper part of the leaves and, after some time, between the veins, after which the entire bulbous nest turns brown and dies. The corm of a gladiolus or narcissus affected by the disease becomes dark and hard, mummified with the formation of concentric zones on the surface. A faded pink coating is a characteristic feature of the affected areas.

In cultivated squash, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries or flowering herbaceous plants: Turkish carnation, lily, chrysanthemum or aster, fusarium often occurs during the budding period. The lower leaves on the bushes also characteristically turn yellow, curl up and lose their elasticity, acquire a brown tint and wither.

The appearance of rot with a pink coating at the base of the stems indicates infection of the plantings, and the landowner should immediately get rid of diseased plants, since such specimens cannot be saved, and they will only contribute to the rapid spread of pathogens throughout the area.

Fusarium wilt - how to fight

Having prevented fusarium wilting of other crops mechanically - by culling and destroying already diseased specimens, after cleaning the plantings, it is recommended to spray the remaining healthy plants along with the soil surface with a solution of potassium permanganate and powder the beds with a mixture of ash and powdered sulfur.

Pre-planting preparation, which consists of treating seeds or corms in biological fungicides, helps well in protecting plants from disease. In subsequent plant cultivation it is advisable to use only phosphorus-potassium fertilizers without the use of aggressive biological organic matter.

Liming the soil with chalk or dolomite flour also leads to a significant reduction in the possible damage to cultivated crops by root rot, since the pathogenic fungus does not get along in the neutral structure of the soil, saturated with calcium compounds.

Potassium permanganate, to which boric acid has been added, is well suited for protecting plants from fusarium wilt. It is advisable to water generously with this solution, available on the farm, in June. flower and berry crops only once (at the root). The solution, accordingly, should not be concentrated, but have a pink tint.

Fusarium and other fungal diseases are rarely present in well-groomed areas where the gardener conscientiously monitors his plantings and the condition of the soil. Therefore, timely destruction of weeds in the beds, loosening the soil, proper use of fertilizers and the use of only healthy planting material in growing will be a good barrier that blocks the appearance of pathogenic pathogens of the genus Fusarium.

WHAT YOU NEED TO REMEMBER!!!

Fusarium wilt - basic prevention measures

Using healthy planting material (seeds, rhizomes, tubers, bulbs, cuttings, seedlings)
Use of varieties resistant to Fusarium wilt
Using seeds treated by the manufacturer against fusarium wilt (many of them are colored)
Before storing or before planting, treat clean roots, bulbs, tubers with a fungicide according to the instructions, usually soak in the fungicide solution for half an hour
Compliance with crop rotation
Removing infected plants along with a clod of earth
Burning (not composting) infected plants,
Washing tools after working with infected plants, disinfecting them with denatured alcohol (technical alcohol),
Washing shoes, since the source of fusarium wilt can spread along with contaminated soil on the soles
Washing and treating pots and other containers with bleach, replacing the soil in them with healthy soil
Disinfection of soil, especially in greenhouses, with fungicides or steaming it (for potted crops and seedlings)
Adding potassium oxide or lime to the soil
Mulching plantings with black PVC film or silver polyethylene film inhibits the development of pathogenic fungus

Fusarium wilt - predisposing factors

Weakened plant
Thickened planting
Acidic soil, heavy soil, low-lying areas, stagnant soil moisture that prevents air from reaching the roots
Use of chlorine fertilizers and excessive use of any chemicals
Location of the site near highways, in industrial zones, especially near metallurgical enterprises
Drying of the root system due to insufficient soil moisture
The soil and air temperature is about +28 degrees.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!!!

Medicines for fusarium wilt/fusarium

In case of severe damage, resort to help fungicides . In private farming, preference should be given to biological fungicides that do not have a negative effect on the environment and products.
Biological drug Agat-25K– has a detrimental effect on the source of Fusarium wilt, but at the same time promotes plant growth, productivity, and improves soil characteristics.
Fitosporin-M(microbiological preparation) – for treating soil, compost, seeds and planting material before planting and before storing, as well as for watering plants.
Baktofit-biological fungicide – promotes the development of healthy microflora, the resulting products after application are environmentally friendly and healthy
Trichodermin (Glyocladin)- a biological preparation that is added to the soil to prevent or treat fungal infections, while simultaneously improving the properties of the soil. The solution is used to treat the seeds and the plants themselves.
Vitaros– for dressing bulbs, tubers, rhizomes before planting or storing. Colors the processed material, which allows you to control the result. The protective effect lasts for a long time. Soak 2 ml of the product in 1 liter of water for 2 hours (or 6 drops in a glass of water).
Maksim– pickle the planting material before planting - 4 ml per 2 liters of water, or 6 drops per glass.
Potassium humate– being an organomineral fertilizer obtained from lowland peat, it not only has a beneficial effect on plant development and soil properties, but also has a fungicidal effect. It is used to treat seeds and is also applied to the soil and plants.
They also have a strong effect against fungi of the genus Fusarium. systemic drugs Fundazol, Topsin-M.

For reference:
- Wilting and root rot of plants can also be caused by other harmful fungi that are not included in the genus Fusarium. Often the signs and methods of fighting these infections are similar.
- Some diseases caused by representatives of the genus Fusarium have names that are not at all consonant. Among them is tracheomycosis wilt, which affects, for example, roses, rhododondrones, and conifers. Tracheomycosis wilt is a fusarium disease.
- Houseplants also susceptible to fusarium (orchids, cyclamens, zygocacti, balsams and others).

In the photo (Internet sources): a sign of fusarium on the leaves, fusarium wilt of gladioli, zucchini, onions, pine, cloves, tomatoes, chrysanthemums.

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Fusarium is a common and dangerous fungal disease.

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Fusarium is an infectious disease of plants (cultivated and wild) caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium. Plants are affected at any age.

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The fungus is found in the soil and penetrates the plant through the soil and wounds. In young plants, the disease manifests itself in the form of rotting of the roots and root collar. In these places, the tissues turn brown, the stem becomes thinner, and the leaves turn yellow. Soon the whole plant withers and dies. The disease mainly spreads in patches.

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The infection spreads through the soil.

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Weakened plants are most susceptible to the disease.

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The development of the disease is promoted by high soil and air humidity. The disease is common in all climatic zones.

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Fusarium wilt affects the vascular system (fusarium wilt) and plant tissues(rot of roots, fruits and seeds, fusarium of ears, cobs; other types of fusarium).

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Pathogens persist for a long time in the soil and on plant debris and enter plants through the root system and the lower part of the stem.

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The source of infection can also be contaminated seeds and seedlings. The rapid development of the disease is facilitated by unfavorable factors (sharp fluctuations in temperature and humidity of air and soil, lack of soil nutrition, etc.), weakening the plant, damage by insects, etc.

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With fusarium wilts, damage and death of plants occur due to a sharp disruption of vital functions due to blockage of blood vessels by the fungal mycelium and the release of toxic substances (fusaric acid, lycomarasmine, etc.).

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The disease begins with root rot. Pathogens penetrate from the soil first into small roots, then, as the mycelium grows, into larger ones.

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Then they rise through the conducting vessels into the stem and reach the leaves. The lower leaves wilt, the edges of the remaining leaves become watery, and some areas turn pale green or light yellow. The blood vessels of the leaves and petioles weaken, and limp leaves hang along the stem.

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At temperatures below +16°C, diseased plants die quickly. At the same time, fungi release toxins that cause decomposition of cell tissue, root rot, browning and drying of branches and leaves. With increased air humidity, a delicate white coating forms on the surface of the leaves.

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How to deal with fusarium

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In mature plants, the disease primarily affects the lower leaves; they first begin to turn yellow and wither in the daytime, and then lag behind in development. Over time, a pinkish coating forms on the root collar or slightly higher. Ultimately, the plant’s root system dies, which may become covered with a white coating.

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The development of fusarium is promoted sudden changes humidity and temperature of soil and air.

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Also, low illumination and an increase in soil temperature to 26-28°C are favorable for this infection. Mechanically damaged roots also allow infection to enter the plant.

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Treatment of fusarium can be carried out in several ways:

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First of all, crop rotation should be observed. Planting is returned to the old place no earlier than after 4 years. If this infection is detected, all infected plants should be destroyed and the soil should be sprayed with biofungicides. The most common ones include Trichoflor, Baktofit, Fitosporin-M, Trichocin and etc.

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If plants are watered with rainwater or from natural reservoirs, then it should first be kept with the drug Fitosporin-M.

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One of the preventive means of control is the use of healthy seed material. Growing disease-resistant hybrids (Red Arrow F1, Porthos F1, Titanic F1, Chibli F1, Erato F1, Santiago F1, etc.).

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Adding trichodermin to seedling mixture(1-2 g/plant) and into the soil (at the rate of 100 kg/ha) before planting in a permanent place can reduce the infestation of plants both in the early period and in adulthood.

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Treating seeds with fungicides and warming up before sowing eliminates seed infection.

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Spraying plants and spilling soil during the growing season when symptoms of wilting appear, drugs from the benzimidazoles group can inhibit the development of the disease.

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For reference:

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• — Wilting and root rot of plants can also be caused by other harmful fungi that are not included in the genus Fusarium. Often the signs and methods of fighting these infections are similar.
• — Some diseases caused by representatives of the genus Fusarium have names that are not at all consonant. Among them is tracheomycosis wilt, which affects, for example, roses, rhododondrones, and conifers. Tracheomycosis wilt is a fusarium disease.
• — Indoor plants are also susceptible to fusarium (orchids, cyclamens, zygocacti, impatiens and others).

Fusarium has another name - dry rot. Most often, plants in the southeast of our country are susceptible to it. In fact, it is a fungus that attacks the stem during the period when it is most vulnerable - during flowering and fruit formation.

The fungus infects various crops: wheat, barley, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes. Fusarium can damage the very soil in which the plants are grown. Affected roots may remain in the ground, thereby infecting new plantings through the root system. The disease causes wilting during the flowering period. If the plant contains mechanical damage from insect bites, the fungus infects through these wounds.

Signs of fusarium

Manifestations of dry rot are clearly visible in hot weather:

• the lower part of the plant becomes pale green;
• the leaf begins to dry out slowly at the edges;
• the vessels that are visible on the lower processes of the stem become brown;
• the plant slowly fades and then dies;
• roots die. In rainy weather, a white coating is visible on them.

At the very early stage of development of fusarium, it is almost impossible to notice it, since it affects the seeds of the plant. Let’s say that on a tomato a fungus has penetrated into the seed and is growing, slowly but surely infecting vascular system, and then the entire vegetable becomes infected with the disease. Therefore, if you notice dry rot on tomatoes in the summer, do not leave the seeds of this bush for next year. It is better to buy new ones, otherwise the harvest will be reduced by 40%. Fusarium rot affects all plants in the garden: onions, tuberous varieties, young trees, leaves on them.

In gladioli, dry rot manifests itself in the form of yellowed leaves, and is more pronounced at the top. Next, it affects the stem and bulb. After fusarium has infected the entire flower, the gladiolus root becomes hard and darkened. On zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and many other crops, the affected leaves curl into a tube, acquiring a characteristic brown color, and then die.

Read also:

Tips from the experienced against pests

If you see that a pinkish tint has appeared at the base of the stem, the plant may be infected with fusarium. It is necessary to eradicate all plants, as the fungus can infect the soil layer.

Fighting methods

After eradicating infected plants, it is necessary to spray the soil, healthy seedlings, and young trees with a solution of potassium permanganate, sprinkle with ash and powdered sulfur on top. In order to protect the crop from fusarium, you need to worry about this before planting. After sowing seeds or planting seedlings, you need to spray them against rot. This is done with special preparations based on phosphorus and potassium; there is no need to use strong biological organics.

The soil can be treated with limestone solution and dolomite flour. This protects well against infection by various infections. No fungi can grow in limestone environments and soils rich in calcium. Potassium permanganate, to which a small amount is added, helps very well boric acid. All necessary substances for the solution are sold at any gardening store. Once in early June, it is imperative to water all plants and young trees at the root. The solution should be pink.

Remember: the area where the crop grows must be kept clean. Diseases do not develop on well-kept lands. You should loosen the soil more often, preventing weeds from growing, and water with various fertilizers.

Prevention of fusarium

To prevent dry rot, you must:

• buy seeds or seedlings from trusted manufacturers;
• use only those varieties that are resistant to fusarium;
• It is better to buy pre-treated seeds. Often they are painted a different color, for example, carrots are purple, which means they are protected from fusarium;
• if possible, before planting, soak the plant rhizomes for 30 minutes in a fungicide solution;
• if infected with dry rot, you need to remove the root along with a large lump of earth;
• Burn sick plants and never leave them to rot;
• Before planting in pots, the container must be treated with bleach;
• after visiting the garden, be sure to wash your shoes, as traces of the fusarium fungus may remain on them;
• spray the soil with potassium or lime;
• cover the bed with agrofibre.

Fusarium– a common disease of wild and cultivated plants, which is caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium, penetrating through wounds in the roots. The source of infection can be soil, seed and seedlings. Fusarium is common in all climatic zones.

Fusarium disease - description

Fusarium disease affects the vascular system of plants, causing fusarium wilt. Fungi also act on fabric, which is why decay roots, fruits and seeds. When plants wilt, they die from blockage of blood vessels with fungal mycelium and its toxic secretions, resulting in disruption of vital functions. Affected specimens bloom poorly, their leaves turn yellow and fall off, the root system stops developing and darkens, and darkened vessels can be seen on the stem cut.

The disease begins with root rot: the infection penetrates from the soil through small roots, and then enters large roots, after which it rises through the drainage vessels along the stems to the leaves. First, the leaves of the lower tier wither, the edges of the rest become watery, and yellow and light green spots appear on the plates. The vessels of the petioles weaken, and the leaves hang along the stem like rags. Under conditions of high air humidity, a thin white coating appears on the leaf plates. The disease progresses with sharp fluctuations in temperature and humidity, as well as against the background of insufficient soil nutrition.

Factors that contribute to the activation of fusarium pathogens:

• weakening of the plant poor care or improper conditions of detention;
• too dense planting;
• acidic soil, heavy soil, stagnation of moisture in the soil, preventing air access to plant roots, planting plants in low-lying areas;
• excessive application of chemicals to the soil, including fertilizers containing chlorine;
• placing the planting close to an industrial zone, especially to metallurgical enterprises, or to a highway;
• dry roots due to insufficient watering;
• high humidity and high temperature.

Fusarium of plants (garden)

Fusarium blight of wheat

Pathogens of the Fusarium group can infect both ears and roots of wheat.

Fusarium head blight is dangerous for all grain crops: a week after infection or a little later, an orange-pink mass of conidia appears on the ears of cereals, capable of being spread by the wind over considerable distances. Ascospores also persist on plant debris, becoming a source of infection for the future crop. Epidemics of fusarium head blight regularly occur in those seasons when the weather is humid and warm during the heading period. In these cases, crop losses can range from 20 to 50%, and eating contaminated grains leads to the accumulation of very dangerous mycotoxins in the human body.

Fusarium root rot is caused by members of a group that persist in the soil for many years, but are easily spread by wind, water and infected seed. Infection occurs during seed germination and during their further growth: pathogens penetrate the roots and enter all surface tissues. Conditions that inhibit plants contribute to the development of the disease. Signs that wheat is infected with root rot are low germination of seed, discoloration of plants, their slow growth, low weight and, finally, dark, almost black, destroyed wheat roots. Crop losses from Fusarium root rot can range from 5 to 30%.

Fusarium of tomatoes

Fusarium blight of fruit and berry crops

Fusarium blight on strawberry

The first signs of Fusarium wilt of strawberries are necrosis of the edges of the leaves and a slight loss of turgor in the leaves. Then the petioles and leaves gradually turn brown, become brown, almost black, and die. The rosette falls apart, and the bushes seem to be pressed to the ground. The whole process takes about one and a half months. Typically, the symptoms of the disease become noticeable at the beginning of the berry filling and ripening phase, when the plant experiences an increased need for nutrition and moisture.

The degree of damage to strawberries by Fusarium wilt depends on the climate, the level of agricultural technology and the age of planting. It must be borne in mind that most garden strawberry varieties are not resistant to fusarium, although there are exceptions, for example, the Zenga variety.

Fusarium melon

Fusarium disease - prevention

Fusarium disease cannot be cured, but it is possible to prevent plants from being damaged by infectious agents. High agricultural technology, compliance with crop rotation and treatment of seed and planting material with fungicides make crops more resistant to fusarium. Before sowing or planting, the seed material is sorted out and diseased or damaged seeds, tubers, bulbs and corms are discarded, after which the quality material is disinfected in a solution of a biological fungicide. In the future, it is advisable to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers as fertilizers and be careful when introducing aggressive biological organic matter.

Liming acidic soil with dolomite flour or chalk also reduces the likelihood of plants being damaged by root rot, since fusarium pathogens do not live in neutral soil saturated with calcium. Effective preventative measure protection against fusarium of flowers and berry bushes is to water the plants at the roots with a pink solution of potassium permanganate with the addition of boric acid. It is produced once a season. In addition, it is necessary to keep your garden and vegetable garden clean, regularly control weeds, pests and diseases, loosen the soil, apply fertilizers responsibly, promptly remove plant debris and treat the soil before planting or sowing.

Remove diseased plants along with a clod of earth, do not put them in compost, but burn them immediately. Disinfect garden tools after contact with diseased plants using industrial alcohol (denatured alcohol). Wash your shoes to avoid spreading contaminated soil on your soles. Disinfect all containers in which plants with fusarium blight grew, and place only sterile soil in them. To curb the development of pathogenic flora, mulch the plantings with silver polyethylene or black PVC film.

Before storing bulbs, rhizomes and tubers for storage, carefully inspect them, discard diseased and damaged ones, and treat healthy ones with Fundazol solution.

Preparations for fusarium (fungicides)

To treat soil and seed, the following biological fungicides are used:

• Agat-25K is a drug that has a detrimental effect on the source of fusarium, but at the same time promotes productivity and improves soil characteristics;
• Fitosporin-M is a microbiological preparation for treating compost, soil, planting material and seeds before sowing, planting and storing crops;
• Baktofit is a biological fungicide that promotes the development of healthy microflora;
• Trichodermin is a preparation for pre-sowing treatment of seeds, as well as for preventive treatment of soil, improving its properties;
• Vitaros is a preparation for treating bulbs, rhizomes and tubers before storing or planting;
• Maxim – fungicide for preventive treatment of seeds and planting material;
• Potassium humate is an organomineral fertilizer made from low-lying peat, which has fungicidal properties and has a beneficial effect on soil properties and plant development. Humate is used for pre-sowing treatment of seeds and soil.

The drugs Gamair, Trichofit, Fitoflavin, Previkur, Alirin-B, as well as systemic fungicides Topsin-M and Fundazol have a strong effect against fungi of the Fusarium genus.

Folk remedies for fighting fusarium

It is impossible to defeat fusarium with folk remedies for the same reason: the disease penetrates the plant through the roots and destroys it from the inside, so signs of the disease appear too late. But for preventive treatment of healthy plants and soil folk remedies suitable:

• dilute 25 g of grated laundry soap in a liter of milk, add 35 drops of iodine and treat the plants with this mixture;
• Stir a glass of wood ash in two liters of water, dissolve a tablespoon of grated laundry soap and let the mixture sit for two days, then treat the plants and the soil around them with the infusion. After a week, repeat the treatment;
• Boil 2 handfuls of onion peels in a bucket of water for 30 minutes, then strain, add another bucket of water and pour the decoction over the plants from a watering can;
• the crushed head of garlic needs to be infused for 24 hours in 1 liter of water, then the infusion is filtered and 9 liters are added to it and the plants are sprayed with this infusion the next evening.

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