Pepper is often subject to rotting both in the open field and in greenhouse conditions. This problem often occurs during the formation and ripening of fruits. Most often this happens due to the causative agents of various diseases. But before taking any action, it is necessary to determine the exact cause.
Causes of decay
The fruits are subject to decay when the long-awaited harvest begins to form. The main causes of rotting pepper in the open field and in the greenhouse:
- Excess dampness, which is often found in film and polycarbonate greenhouses, in the absence of ventilation, provokes rotting.
- Elevated temperature. At high humidity and temperatures above +30 degrees, the fruits may begin to rot.
- Fungal diseases. Usually, rotting begins precisely because of the fungi.
- Exposure to direct sunlight. Causes burns on the pepper.
- Unsuitable soil. Peppers don't like acidic soil. In addition, it is a good environment for the development of pathogenic bacteria.
With the observance of agrotechnical rules, rotting of pepper can be avoided. Often, the problem appears due to excessive care, when novice gardeners try too hard to create favorable conditions, but are poorly versed in the issue.
Ways to fight disease
When diseases appear, if the focus is small, it will be necessary to treat the plants with various preparations. But it is important to take into account that if less than 20 days are left before harvesting, then chemical agents cannot be used.
Late blight
The disease first manifests itself in the form of dark spots on the leaf plates. Then the leaves and stems begin to turn black, and the fruits rot. Sick bushes must be burned immediately.
After this planting, immediately need to be treated with "Fitosporin" or 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.
"Fitosporin" is produced in the form of liquid and powder. To prepare the product, you need to dilute 5 g of powder in a bucket of water. When using liquid, it must first be diluted 3 times. After that, 1.5 tbsp. l. the resulting product is diluted in 10 liters of water. Both solutions are used immediately after reconstitution.
From folk remedies, garlic tincture with the addition of potassium permanganate helps well. For cooking, add 3 heads of chopped garlic to a bucket of water and leave to infuse for 3 days. After that, 1 g of potassium permanganate is added to the resulting infusion.
Alternaria and anthracnose
Alternaria is a fungal disease. Most often it occurs in the second half of summer, but in some cases it can appear early, especially if there are temperature changes and high humidity.
The leaves are covered with watery angular spots, which quickly darken and become black or brown. Fruits develop stains. They are usually located near the stalk, but gradually move to other places. Then the spots rot and mummify. The disease most often occurs outdoors.
The treatment is quite complicated. To do this, you can use the preparations "Poliram" or "Quadris". Copper products such as copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid also help.
Most often, several treatments are required. But the latter must be carried out no later than 20 days before harvesting.
Anthracnose manifests itself in the same way, but already on ripening peppers. Treatment is similar to Alternaria.
Top rot
The causes of apical rot:
- Lack of calcium or excess nitrogen, potassium or magnesium.
- Lack of watering at elevated air temperatures. Because of this, the pepper tries to take food from the fruit.
- Heavy soil with poor air permeability.
- Root system damaged during loosening.
- Alkaline or acidic soil composition.
First of all, it is necessary to restore the conditions required for the pepper. The structure, moisture content and composition of the soil should be checked. Affected fruits must be removed and burned outside the beds.
It is also necessary to feed diseased bushes with calcium nitrate and potassium carbonate.
If the case is serious, copper-containing drugs are used:
- "Kuprozan";
- "Hom";
- copper oxychloride;
- bordeaux liquid.
"Fitosporin" is a universal remedy for the treatment of severe forms.
Gray rot
Gray rot at high humidity and temperature affects the entire plant. First, dark spots appear on the fruits, after which the fruits, leaves and stems begin to rot. A fluffy gray coating forms on the spots.
Like other fungal infections, gray rot is treated with various fungicides. You can use Bordeaux liquid, "Fundazol" or "Skor". It must be used in strict accordance with the instructions.
Prophylaxis
To make this problem less common, you need to adhere to certain rules while growing pepper:
- Peppers should only be planted in nutritious and light soil. It needs to be loosened regularly around the plants. You should also constantly get rid of weeds.
- Before planting, the soil must be limed. To do this, add 1 tbsp for 1 bucket of earth. l. dolomite flour or chalk. This earth is scattered over the garden.
- In the case of growing peppers in a greenhouse, you should try to comply with the temperature regime. It is best if the temperature fluctuates between 17 and 22 degrees.
- It is necessary to water the plantings regularly. But at the same time, you cannot fill them in so that the roots do not begin to rot.
- For a longer preservation of moisture in the ground, it must be mulched. For mulch, you can use compost, dry grass, straw, or rotted sawdust.
- When growing in a greenhouse, it is important to regularly ventilate the area. This is done in the morning and evening.
If you adhere to these preventive measures and regularly inspect the plantings, you can save the crop from diseases. Rotting pepper happens quite often. You can try to cure the disease, but it is important to remember that processing should be carried out no later than a few weeks before harvest.
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