Grapes are considered an unpretentious crop that is quite easy to grow in the garden. However, despite this, gardeners often encounter various grape diseases that can harm the plant and negatively affect yield levels. It is recommended to familiarize yourself in advance with the main grape diseases and methods for eliminating them.
The most common grape diseases
There are several main diseases that most often appear when growing grapes.
Leaf rubella
This pathology appears in the first half of summer or in May, when there is no rain and the weather is dry. As the disease develops, only the grape leaves are affected. It is easy to identify leaf rubella in a timely manner. To do this, it is enough to familiarize yourself with its main features, which include:
- the appearance of an orange coating on the leaves, which looks like rust;
- falling leaves before fruit formation begins;
- the appearance of red spots on the leaf plate.
Septoria
Another common pathology that affects grape bushes is septoria. Most often, the disease affects muscat varieties of grapes. With the development of septoria, the leaves become covered with brown spots, and a moldy coating forms on their lower part.
Escoriosis
This disease is considered dangerous as it affects all parts of the plant. Due to pathology, shoots and leaves are completely covered with dark spots. Escoriosis develops in conditions of high humidity in mid-spring. If treatment is not started in time, the grape seedlings will die.
Oidium
Many gardeners who grow grapes encounter this fungal pathology. At first, the disease spreads only to the leaves, but then signs of oidium appear on the inflorescences, stems and fruits. The development of the disease is promoted by high air temperatures, the values of which exceed 20 degrees. Therefore, most often, signs of oidium appear in spring or summer.
A white coating appears on infected bushes, which gradually darkens.Signs of the disease also include curled leaves, darkening and rotting of shoots.
Types of diseases
There are different types of grape diseases, which are best familiarized with in advance.
Viral
Viral pathologies are very dangerous and therefore it is recommended to treat them immediately after their appearance. Pathologies of this type are transmitted by ticks, nematodes and other sucking pests. Pathogens can also be transmitted through infected seedlings or garden tools for cultivating soil.
Plants infected with viral pathologies grow slowly and bear fruit poorly. Their leaves become covered with yellow spots and gradually curl.
Fungal infections
The causative agent of fungal diseases is activated in the summer, at high air temperatures. The most common fungal grape disease is considered to be esca, in which the surface of the leaves turns brown. However, such pathologies affect not only the leaves, but also the fruits. Infected berries turn brown and wrinkle. If the plant is not treated in time, it will die.
Non-communicable diseases
Diseases that do not appear due to bacterial, viral or fungal pathogens are classified as non-infectious. Their development is facilitated by unfavorable weather conditions, poor-quality or infertile soil and improper care.
Common signs of non-infectious pathologies include the appearance of pimples on the leaves. Also, small white spots may appear on their surface, which will gradually darken.
Bacterial
Plants become infected with bacterial diseases through contaminated garden tools, soil or infected bushes that grow nearby.Common pathologies from this group include bacterial cancer, in which yellowish growths form on the leaves.
It is impossible to cure grape seedlings, and therefore all infected bushes will have to be dug up and burned immediately.
Pests
Grape pests are as dangerous as its main diseases. Common grape pests include leaf and root phylloxera. The insect infects the leaves and sucks the juice out of them, which leads to depletion and death of the seedlings.
Another dangerous pest that affects grape seedlings is itch. Such an insect is almost invisible, since its length is only 0.1 mm. It affects the lower part of the leaves, causing it to become covered with cobwebs. First, itching affects the leaves located in the lower part of the grapes, and then moves to the upper ones.
How to treat diseases in grapes?
After signs of pests or pathologies have been identified on the berries, it is necessary to become familiar with how to treat them. Treatment of grape bushes should not be delayed, as they may die. Therefore, immediately after the detection of diseases, the fight against them begins.
When treating bushes, it is recommended to use effective fungicidal drugs:
- "Strobe." The product is produced in the form of granules, which are dissolved in liquid before use. The spraying solution is made 1-2 hours before the procedure. To do this, one granule is dissolved in a ten-liter container of water. You need to spray the leaves with a solution from Strobi twice a week.
- "Polychomus." This fungicide is considered effective because it has a complex effect. There are various ways to use Polychome, but most often it is used to create a solution.By treating grapes with this drug, it is possible to get rid of rust, powdery mildew and late blight.
Effective folk remedies
Experienced winegrowers often use folk remedies to treat planted grape bushes. Common folk remedies for treating plants include the following:
- An infusion made from cow dung. Regular spraying of seedlings with this liquid will eliminate any pests on the leaves. To prepare the solution, add two liters of manure to a bucket of water. Then rotted straw is added to the container with the liquid. Prepared mixture spray the grapes every 8-9 days.
- Garlic infusion. A remedy made from garlic can get rid of many viral and fungal pathologies. To create the tincture, two heads of garlic are crushed and mixed with 5 liters of water and 40 grams of soap.
- Milk solution. To create such a milk product, you will have to mix 20 drops of iodine with a liter of milk and 8 liters of water. Then the liquid is infused for an hour and a half and used for spraying.
The most resistant varieties
To avoid treating grapes, varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases are chosen for planting. These include:
- Risus. A tall plant that can grow up to 2-3 meters in height. The variety is distinguished by small berries with a diameter of about 20 mm and a weight of 5-6 grams. The advantages of Risus include resistance to common insects and pathologies.
- Laura. The variety is popular among gardeners who grow table grapes on their own. The characteristic features of Laura include the safety of the harvested crop, which does not spoil for about 2-3 weeks.Also among the advantages should be highlighted resistance to frost and late blight.
- Danko. This variety of grapes is distinguished by vigorous bushes and large berries collected in cylindrical clusters. Danko is suitable for growing in the middle zone, as it copes well with frost.
Preventive measures
Disease prevention is very important as it reduces the likelihood of grapes becoming infected. Therefore, when growing grape bushes, preventive procedures should be carried out.
To protect seedlings from pests and pathogens, you will have to regularly dig up the area and clear it of weeds with dry leaves. All dry leaves and grass should be burned in the fall or taken outside the site.
Also, to improve the protective properties of grapes, you will have to periodically feed them with fertilizers. In the summer season, the bushes are fed 2-3 times with mineral fertilizers and organic matter. In addition, the bushes can be treated with a special product “Topaz”, which prevents the development of viral and bacterial diseases.
Conclusion
When growing grapes, many people encounter dangerous diseases and pests that worsen yields. To protect grape seedlings, you will have to familiarize yourself in advance with the main diseases and pests, as well as the most effective ways to eliminate them.
