The flamboyant root vegetable is a delicacy for some insects and shellfish. A vegetable is also susceptible to a number of diseases. To obtain a rich harvest, a thorough phytosanitary control over crops is required.
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Beet pests
What are the specialized enemies of beets?
Beet miner fly
Diptera larvae mine beet leaves. Light spots, and then through holes, are a sure sign of the presence of a beet miner fly. The feeding of the larvae leads to a decrease in the weight of the vegetable.
Control measures:
- Weed control.
- During periods of mass pupation of fly larvae, loosening of the soil.
- Deep autumn plowing.
- Systemic insecticide use
Beet flea
Beetles of the beet flea, leaving the wintering place, settle on the beets. The pest damages the pulp by gnawing numerous holes and leaving the lower skin intact. Over time, the borders of the "wound" become brown. In July, the larvae laid by beetles eat root crops. The flea is most harmful in dry and hot weather.
Control measures:
- Cultivation of early varieties of beets.
- Timely weed control.
- Compliance with the terms of sowing and harvesting.
- The sorrel growing nearby is treated with ash.
- Use of insecticides.
Slugs
Gluttonous shellfish can harm not only beet leaves, but also other vegetables in the garden. The malicious pest feeds exclusively at night, and hides during the day.
Control measures:
- Timely and deep soil cultivation.
- Mowing tall grass all over the site.
- Thinning of beet seedlings.
- Cleaning of plant residues.
- Moderate watering.
- Creation of nutritious "traps" for slugs - pumpkin peel, burdock leaves, fresh milk.
Diseases of beets
As you know, diseases are easier to prevent than to cure. Try to prevent them from occurring.
Fomoz
Phomosis manifests itself in the form of dry rot. Fungal disease affects both the aerial part of the beet and the root crop.
Control measures
- Disinfection of seeds before sowing.
- Timely cultivation of the land.
- Compliance with crop rotation.
- Storage of only healthy root crops.
- Soil enrichment with boric acid solution.
- Soil care in the autumn.
Seedling root
The causative agent of the disease is a fungus that can destroy both the seeds and the formed beet leaves. Vitreous or brown spots are signs of illness. Corneed grows in the presence of weeds, excess moisture and sudden changes in temperature.
Control measures:
- Cultivation of disease resistant varieties and hybrids.
- Compliance with crop rotation.
- Sowing uncontaminated seeds.
- Loosening of the soil and timely thinning of seedlings.
- Complete weed removal.
- The use of fertilizers.
Disease prevention, proper care and timely detection of pests are the key to a plentiful and healthy beet harvest.
Do you know how to deal with beet pests?
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