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Currant is an extremely tasty and healthy berry, so it is very common in the backyards of gardeners. But if the plants are not taken care of, the risk of not waiting for the harvest is quite high. One of the dangers threatening bushes is pathogenic microflora. Means for protecting horticultural crops from fungi are presented in a wide range, one of the effective methods is the use of Topaz fungicide for currants.
Description and properties of the drug
Topaz is a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide from the world famous Swiss company Syngenta. The drug is suitable for protecting berry bushes (currants, gooseberries, raspberries), fruit trees (stone and pome fruits), grapes, strawberries, ornamental flowering plants from pathogenic fungi that cause the development of:
- all types of spotting (especially brown and purple);
- coccomycosis;
- septoriosis;
- rust;
- gray and root rot;
- oidium.
In Our Country, the fungicide is produced under license from the firms “August”, “Green Belt”
However, the main purpose of the Topaz fungicide is the prevention of infection of currants and other crops with powdery mildew and the fight against this disease at different stages of its development. Planting treatments can be carried out throughout most of the season. It is compatible with other preparations of chemical and biological origin used to protect plants from pests and pathogenic microflora.
Topaz is not phytotoxic if the manufacturer’s instructions are followed. However, too frequent currant treatments for diseases, combined with the influence of negative weather factors, can provoke the destruction of the crop or its unsuitability for food.
Powdery mildew is a disease that is dangerous not only for currants, but also for the vast majority of horticultural crops.
Topaz after treatment for diseases on currants and other plants begins to act in 2-3 hours. To completely “absorb” into the plant tissue, the fungicide needs 6-7 hours. If powdery mildew has already been found on the bushes, it inhibits the development of the pathogen by 1,5-2 weeks. When spraying currants is carried out for prevention, Topaz provides planting protection for an average of two months. =
Form of issue and composition
The active ingredient of the drug Topaz is penconazole (aka Avard) at a dosage of 100 g / l. This substance of organic origin belongs to the class of triazoles and is widely used in the modern production of fungicides.
The drug is available in dry (powder) and liquid (emulsion concentrate) form. It is advisable for owners of personal plots to spray currants to purchase Topaz in small volumes – sachets of 3 g, ampoules of 2 or 10 ml.
For farms, Topaz is available in 1 liter bottles and 5 liter cans.
Operating principle
Best of all, penconazole “works” if powdery mildew on currants is noticed at an early stage of development. Once on the surface of the plant, Topaz is quickly “absorbed” into the tissues in a safe concentration, spreading to the entire aerial part of the bush and its root system. It “outstrips” pathogen spores moving through the vascular system, providing currants with effective protection.
Topaz inhibits the synthesis of vital substances in the spores of the powdery mildew fungus that affects currants. The pathogen cannot develop and multiply normally due to the lack of new spores germinating in the tissue. With the “adult” fungus already on the bush, currants, which are distinguished by high overall endurance, cope on their own or with the help of biostimulants used by the gardener.
Pros and cons of using Topaz for currants
Summer residents actively use Topaz to protect currants and other plantings from fungal diseases, given its undoubted advantages:
- Versatility – suitability for processing not only currants, but also any other horticultural crops grown in open ground and in a greenhouse.
- Consistency – Topaz is used to protect against fungi and prevent infection.
- “Neutrality” for plants. Topaz does not affect the growth and development of currants, the volume and quality of the crop, the taste of berries.
- Rapid onset of action after treatment.
- Long lasting effect regardless of weather conditions. As a result – economical consumption of the drug and the ability to get by with a minimum number of treatments.
- Permissibility of mixing with other fungicides, insecticides and pesticides.
Topaz also has certain disadvantages:
- This is a chemical, so it is not suitable for organic growers.
- It is safe only if you breed Topaz for spraying currants, observing the dosage of the fungicide and waiting the necessary time before picking the berries.
- Topaz demonstrates maximum effectiveness at an early stage of the development of the disease. When time is lost, and the process of currant infection has gone very far, it can be almost useless.
- For three seasons, pathogens develop resistance, so Topaz cannot be used constantly.
- It is forbidden to process currants if they are located near water bodies and apiaries (the fungicide is highly toxic to fish and bees).
The safety of Topaz for currants, human health and the environment is guaranteed only if the manufacturer’s instructions are followed.
When to spray currants with Topaz in spring
Best Topaz on the currant manifests itself at an early stage in the development of diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly inspect the bushes and apply a fungicide at the first suspicious symptoms.
For prevention, currants are treated with Topaz in the spring, at the very beginning of the active growing season, when sap flow is just beginning. Sometimes gardeners practice 2-3 spring sprays with an interval of at least two weeks, slightly reducing the concentration of Topaz and ending the prevention by the time the buds form.
Determining the processing time, you can focus on the appearance of the kidneys, resembling “green cones”
If fungal diseases for the garden are a typical occurrence, spraying is repeated 1-2 more times, about a month after harvest. Or the procedure is transferred to autumn, calculating the time so that at least 5-6 weeks remain before the first frost.
Preparation of working solution
The working solution of the Topaz fungicide for treating currants is prepared immediately before spraying.
The algorithm is extremely simple:
- Fill the container from which the spraying will be carried out with clean water at room temperature by about a quarter.
- Pour the powder there or pour the contents of the ampoule. Mix well.
- Bring the volume of the solution to 10 liters, without ceasing to stir it intensively.
Gardeners recommend purchasing Topaz in the form of an emulsion. The powder does not dissolve in water too well, remains on the walls and bottom of the container, reducing the concentration of the solution and the efficiency of currant processing.
In a “diluted” form, the drug retains “consumer properties” for a maximum of eight hours
Processing currants in the spring with Topaz
The best time to spray currant bushes with Topaz in spring is early morning or late evening. It is desirable that the weather be dry and calm. The solution should be sprayed as evenly as possible, in one layer. Currant bushes do not differ in large dimensions, therefore, as a rule, there are no problems with processing.
In one season, a maximum of four sprayings are carried out with an interval of two weeks.
accident prevention
According to the generally accepted classification, Topaz fungicide is moderately dangerous for humans and warm-blooded animals (classified as class III), but, nevertheless, it is a chemical. For birds, bees and fish, it is generally poison, so currants can only be processed if the bushes are at a distance:
- 150 m to ponds, playgrounds, park areas;
- 50 m to pedestrian streets, poultry houses, sheds where livestock is kept;
- 15 m to residential buildings;
- 2,5 km to apiaries (you also need to “prohibit” the flights of bees over currant bushes treated with Topaz for three days).
It is unacceptable for a gardener working with the drug to neglect personal protective equipment. Despite the stated moderate danger, one cannot exclude one’s own negative reaction to Topaz. The working solution is prepared, and the bushes are sprayed, wearing tight rubber gloves, goggles, and a respirator. Closed waterproof shoes, jacket and trousers are required.
The treatment of currants with Topaz cannot be combined with eating, drinking, smoking. Children and pets are “isolated” in advance, not allowing them into the “danger zone”. After finishing work, the container from under the solution should be rinsed well, clothes should be washed. The gardener himself should at least thoroughly wash his hands and face, ideally take a shower.
The form of clothing and a set of personal protective equipment remain unchanged during the processing of any crops
If, during the processing of currants, the Topaz fungicide solution gets on the skin or mucous membranes, you need to wash it off with cool running water. Then the skin can be blotted with a cotton pad moistened with ethyl alcohol.
In case of accidental ingestion, the active ingredient of Topaz, penconazole, is neutralized with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. It is necessary to drink 2-3 glasses at once. If symptoms typical of poisoning appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. There is no special antidote for Topaz, the victim needs symptomatic treatment.
Conclusion
Fungicide Topaz for currants is an effective tool for the prevention and treatment of fungal diseases, primarily powdery mildew. It is officially recommended for use in “home” gardening, has low toxicity, begins to act quickly, and provides a long-term protective effect.
