Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Rust on garlic is one of the most serious and insidious diseases that often affects plants that grow in central Russia and the Moscow region. Why this disease appears, how to identify it and what methods of dealing with it are the most effective – we will tell in this article.

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Causes of appearance

Rust is a disease caused by a harmful fungus. It overwinters, as a rule, on the remains of old plants. There are a number of reasons why this disease can be activated.

  • Initially, it is worth mentioning the conditions that are favorable for the development of this fungus: this is high humidity of air masses and cool weather. When the mark on the thermometer rises above +10 degrees, fungal spores begin to precipitate healthy plants, in which winds and rainwater help them. Usually, the period of activation of this disease occurs in May.
  • Infection can also occur due to an uncleaned garden, namely, due to plant debris, on which the fungus overwinters. The fungus itself is very tenacious, and then it is enough to leave a few affected plants on the garden bed so that in the future it will hit new plantings.
  • Non-compliance with crop rotation can also cause the appearance of this disease.

So, if you place garlic or related crops every year in the same place, then rust will in any case appear and begin to precipitate plants.

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Signs of defeat

Such a fungal disease as rust is dangerous, as it causes great harm to the plant, affecting only the ground part of the garlic, in particular, the stem and leaves. If the garlic is sick, then its onion begins to lack the nutrients and minerals it needs for full growth and development. It almost completely stops developing, and its taste qualities are noticeably reduced.

It is not difficult to determine the presence of this disease in a plant, since it has a number of pronounced symptoms.

  • So, with the appearance of this disease, you can notice that the garlic leaves are covered with oval yellowish spots. Such spots are called pustules, over time they begin to darken and turn brown, slowing down the process of photosynthesis in the plant. The spots themselves do not differ in size, but it is not difficult to see them. On a garlic leaf, they can be arranged both in groups and in the form of a chain. It is in these pustules that fungal spores develop, which over time are released and attack healthy plants, including other crops.
  • There is another kind of rust, which can also be detected simply. The disease gives itself out as bright red spots that are located on the leaf on top of light spots, which is why something like a layering is formed. This is precisely what distinguishes this type of rust, but it is very rare.

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

In both cases, rust has a negative effect on the plant, leading to a sharp decline in yield. Affected garlic leaves begin to die off, which is why the head of the plant eventually grows small and underdeveloped. At the same time, the root system of the plant does not rot, however, diseased garlic as a whole grows weakened, which makes it very susceptible to other diseases, not only during growth, but also during storage. Such garlic is often precipitated by various rots and more, which increases the risk of losing a significant amount of the crop.

Therefore, having noticed the first signs of rust, it is necessary to start treating the plant, and as soon as possible.

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Treatment

There are different ways to deal with such a garlic disease as rust. So, if you notice the development of this fungal disease at first, then you can limit yourself to eliminating the affected areas of the plant, thereby preventing the further development of rust. However, if the disease has already developed, then in this case the plant will have to be treated using other methods.

Among the most effective ways to fight can be attributed to the treatment of plants with the help of special preparations. These include “HOM”, “Oksihom” and “Fitosporin-M”. It is these funds that are popular among summer residents and are considered the most effective. You can buy such funds in a specialized country store. They will help get rid of the harmful fungus and save the plants, however, they must be used correctly, focusing on the instructions for this, which, as a rule, is located on the package of the drug.

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

You can fight against garlic rust with the help of folk remedies. You can cook them at home using improvised means. Financially, such funds are very profitable, but it is worth considering that they are less effective than fungicidal preparations. Therefore, it is recommended to use folk remedies either for preventive purposes, or in the early stages of the development of the disease.

It is also allowed to combine them with fungicides..

  • So, one of the folk remedies against rust is a solution based on table salt. To prepare it, you will need a glass of the main component and a bucket of water. All this must be thoroughly mixed, after which the plants can be processed, smearing the diseased leaves with the resulting mixture. This must be done until the disease is completely eliminated.
  • Suitable for rust control and a solution based on ammonia. It must be diluted in a bucket of water, after which you can start spraying the plant. Such treatments should be carried out at intervals of 3-5 days, affecting not only the leaves, but also the ground in which the garlic grows.
  • Tar soap will also help fight a harmful fungal disease.. It must be grated on a fine grater and dissolved in 10 liters of water. The resulting solution needs to process both the leaves and the bed itself. This should be done once a week until the disease is completely eliminated.

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

Preventive measures

Preventive measures will help prevent the occurrence of a fungal disease and keep the garlic crop intact.

  • Plants should be regularly inspected in order to notice the symptoms of the disease in time and stop its development. When you notice the first signs of damage, remove diseased leaves. The plant itself in this case will need to be treated with folk remedies or fungicidal preparations.
  • At the end of the season, it is imperative to remove plant residues from the beds by burning, because it is on them that fungal spores can remain, which, having survived the winter, will become active the next season and begin to precipitate young plants. The bed itself at the end of the season will need to be dug up.
  • Do not forget about the rules of crop rotation. Do not plant garlic in the same place for several years in a row. Otherwise, rust cannot be avoided. In addition, garlic should not be planted for at least 2 years and in those places where plants infected with rust have previously grown.
  • It is worth taking the time and proper care. Keep an eye on the level of humidity, and also do not forget to spray the plants with special products that will help prevent the occurrence of a harmful disease.

With their help, you can also work the soil before planting new plants.

Why did rust appear on garlic and how to deal with it?

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Anna Evans

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