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Among the daily chores of gardeners and gardeners, there are both pleasant and unpleasant worries. And the latter bring their negative aftertaste to the feeling of joy from all garden acting. Such not very joyful worries include the fight against various pests of cultural plantations. The main postulate of this struggle is the desire not to harm the general ecological situation of the entire garden.
It is not difficult to defeat all living things on a cultural site. Modern means of chemical and biological plant protection allow this. But will there be any great benefit from this – both for the quality of the crop and for the health of the wrestler himself. If you exterminate the Colorado potato beetle, codling moth or carrot fly, then bees with bumblebees and other beneficial insects will fall under extermination. There is a high probability that the remains of the applied pesticides will enter the body of people located in the area.
Theoretical foundations of horticultural pest control
At the disposal of a zealous gardener there are not many methods for controlling pests of cultivated plants. The problem boils down to the fact that it is necessary to choose not only the most effective of them, but above all the safest and most economically viable. For clarity, it is convenient to use the example of confronting a carrot fly. After all, carrots are not so terrible climatic conditions as this harmful insect, capable of producing 2 full-fledged offspring in a season.
It is not the fly itself that is involved in the defeat of root crops. Her larvae specialize in this, but she is the initiator. Massively taking off in May, the fly immediately starts laying numerous eggs on young carrot sprouts and the ground around it. This is how the carrot fly cycle begins in carrot beds. It was at this time that she should already feel that a struggle had begun with her:
- chemical method. The desire to apply this method as little as possible is understandable, but it is simply impossible to completely abandon it. The most effective drugs are demonstrated by such drugs as the popular Decis, advertised in the Aktara forums and Fitoverm, no less famous among gardeners. All preparations do not reduce their activity within 20 days and are not washed out during watering. Destroying the larvae in the first twenty minutes, these insecticides prevent their development for a long time. That’s just root crops can be used for cooking or raw no earlier than 20 days later; 333
- somewhat less effective, but much safer folk methods carrot fly wars. They involve the use of various infusions on ash, nettle, tobacco dust or tomato tops. All these infusions are used with the addition of a soapy solution for better retention on the plant. Processing is best done in the evening and morning hours at least 3 times;
- biological deterrence. Of course, we are talking about the feathered inhabitants of garden plots, insects that are the enemies of the carrot fly – ground beetle, lacewing, wasp-scolia and, of course, ladybug. Planting among the beds of carrots, calendula or marigolds will not only scare away the carrot fly, but also attract its enemies – ichneumonids. In addition, these are pathogenic, for many pests, bacteria – “Bitoxibacillin”, “Dendrobacillin”, “Lepitocide”. They must be used in accordance with the instructions for the drug;
- creating unbearable living conditions, due to the choice of resistant varieties of carrots to the carrot fly;
- by strict observance of the agrotechnical parameters of the selected variety. Exceptions to practice, preparation of beds for carrots, the use of fresh manure. Placing carrots in well-lit and ventilated beds without thickening. Placement of onion and garlic rows in carrot plantings. Compliance with the recommended crop rotation. The use of low barrier structures;
- prevention and strengthening the immunity of the plant itself through various top dressings.
Often it is in the complex method of struggle that the maximum success lies.
Selection of fly-resistant carrot varieties
There are no varieties of carrots that are completely resistant to this voracious insect. It is ready to defeat at least all varieties of carrots at once, at least selectively. Here are just some of them she likes more, while others she simply does not like. Seed organizations, advertising various varieties of carrots, indicate their resistance to various diseases. But all of them consistently avoid mentioning the relation of the advertised variety to the carrot fly.
More recently, a variety of carrots has appeared, on the bag of seeds of which there is an icon with a crossed-out carrot fly. The rest of the varieties can be judged only by indirect signs, since it has long been known that the carrot fly likes it, and what it tolerates, but with difficulty. Which smells she refers to as attractants, and which ones as repellents. Their ratio determines her predilection for a particular variety.
Each variety is resistant in its own way.
Since the degree of resistance of a plant to a carrot fly can be quite simply regulated in numerous ways, then the taste and yield are purely individual. With a sufficient degree of certainty, it can be argued that the last characteristics will be of paramount importance when choosing a carrot variety. And only other things being equal, the choice will be made in favor of the variety with the best resistance to the carrot fly.
The mechanism of the attractiveness of the variety for the carrot fly is quite well understood. The more carrots contain chlorogenic acid in the tops, the more energetically the fly is interested in this variety. At the same time, the increased content of carotene and various sugars is perceived by its larvae with obvious disgust. Therefore, a carrot fly-resistant variety should contain the maximum amount of carotene and sugars with a minimum content of chlorogenic acid in the tops.
By comparing these indicators, several varieties of carrots with relatively high resistance to this pest were identified:
“Nantique Resistafly”
This is exactly the variety for which the carrot fly has the maximum aversion. This is due to the high content of carotene and extremely low (up to 2 mg/100 g) chlorogenic acid in the tops. It is amazingly tasty and its yield reaches 9 kg/m2. A root crop of a beautiful, orange color weighing more than 100g. Its length reaches 160 mm and its diameter is close to 35 mm. The shape of the root crop is cylindrical with a very small core. Carrots “Nantik Resistafly” are good fresh, but they keep well.
“Nantes 4”
The growing season lasts from 80 to 110 days. The length of the root crop approaches 170 mm, and its diameter is not more than 20 mm. It has a pleasant orange color, which, in the area of the head, turns into purple. Yield – close to 6,6 kg/m2. It has a pleasant taste and excellent consumer characteristics. It is not affected by rot and mold during storage. Resistant to bloom. For a long time retains its original characteristics. Due to the high content of carotene (more than 6,5 mg) and sugars (up to 8,5%), it is suitable for baby and diet food;
“Amsterdam”
The growing season is not more than 80 days. The root crop has a cylindrical, smooth fruit of orange color. Its dimensions reach a length of 200 mm, with a diameter of 40 mm. The weight of one root crop reaches 150 g. The pulp is of good taste, juicy and tender, with a very small core. Yield approaching 6,0 kg/m2. This carrot is not intended for long-term storage.
“Shantana”
The vegetation period of the plant is approaching 140 days. The fruit has an even, conical shape, 160 mm long, orange in color, turning into red. The weight of many root crops exceeds 200 g. At the same time, the yield of the variety reaches 8,5 kg / m2. Surprisingly juicy fruits have a good taste and pleasant aroma, which, naturally, with a high content of carotene and sugars (14 mg and 7%, respectively). The variety is resistant to various diseases of carrots, not prone to flowering and stalking. Has a universal application;
“Calgary F1”
The growing season is not more than 130 days. The root crop has an elongated-conical shape with a blunt, slightly rounded tip. The length of some fruits exceeds 230 mm. and diameter – 50 mm. They have an attractive orange color and have good taste characteristics. The yield of this variety sometimes exceeds 7 kg / m2. Has a universal purpose. Well kept. Excellent resistance to cracking and fading.
“Losinoostrovskaya 13”
The vegetation period of this variety is not more than 115 days. It has a beautiful, cylindrical shape of juicy fruits of orange, rich color. Their size reaches 200 mm in length and weighs 170 g. This variety is not too demanding on soils, but requires increased watering. Its yield can reach 8 kg/m2. It has excellent (thanks to carotene and sugars) taste characteristics. The variety is extremely resistant to flowering and many diseases.
Conclusion
The absence of a large, fragrant cloud of chlorogenic acid will not attract the pest much, especially if the plantings are well ventilated.
Once again, it must be recalled that there are no varieties of carrots that are completely not attacked by the carrot fly. There are varieties unattractive for her. This is the initial link that allows, with the right agricultural technology, to get rid of its harmful incursions. But only then a rich harvest of carrots will not pass the zealous gardener.