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Many gardeners traditionally begin the spring sowing season with planting radishes. This is entirely justified. Radish is considered one of the most unpretentious vegetables, it grows well in cool weather and does not need a long daylight hours. Many varieties with different ripening periods make it possible to grow this crop in a wide variety of regions. The plant has good immunity, however, pest invasions and radish diseases still occur from time to time.
Radish pests and their control
Radish belongs to the Cabbage (Cruciferous) family, so the same pests that attack cabbage and other plants of this group are dangerous for it. Next, photos of the most common radish pests will be given and it will be told about the fight against them.
Cruciflo flea
A common pest wintering under plant debris in the upper soil layer. The cruciferous flea is a small (about 3 mm) black bug.
Insects have excellent jumping ability, they can overcome considerable distances. The pest larvae are the most dangerous. They emerge from the eggs laid by the female flea on the underside of the leaf. The larvae eat the leaves of the radish, literally turning them into a colander, as well as the roots of the plant.
To protect against these pests, the processing of radishes with folk remedies is widely used. Well helps from flea ash mixed with tobacco and ground pepper. You can treat the beds with an infusion of dandelions, as well as a weak solution of acetic acid. If the pest population is large, special means are used, such as Decis or Aktara.
cruciferous bug
This is a small insect, clearly visible against the background of green foliage due to its red and black coloring. At the end of April, the bugs come out of hibernation, the females lay their eggs on the leaves. Insects feed on the juices of the plant, making pinpoint punctures in the leaves.
The leaf plate at the puncture site turns yellow and collapses. Cruciferous bugs cause the greatest harm in hot sunny weather.
The best biological remedy for this pest is tansy, the insect does not tolerate its smell. A small population of bedbugs can be collected by hand. An effective way to get rid of this pest is to treat the beds with an infusion of onion peel or pharmacy chamomile. If the insect population is significant, it is more expedient to use chemicals, for example, Belovos or Phosbecid.
Rape blossom weevil
The rapeseed flower beetle is a small black bug. You can recognize it by its shiny hard wings, which shimmer greenish in the sun very beautifully. The flower beetle eats away flower buds from the inside, so it is dangerous, first of all, for rapeseed crops, but it can also cause significant harm to radishes.
Folk remedies do not have any effect on the rapeseed beetle, therefore they fight this pest exclusively by treating radish crops with insecticides, such as Karate or Kinmiks.
Rape sawfly
This is a small winged insect. The danger to plantings is represented by its caterpillar-like larvae; a significant population of this pest can destroy radish leaves almost completely.
You can take preventive measures against this pest already at the stage of planting radishes by soaking the seeds for 10-15 minutes in Aktellik’s solution. A small number of caterpillars can be scared away by treating the crops with a solution of soda or mustard. With large pest populations, it is better to use insecticides, such as Fury or Arrivo.
Slugs
Slugs are invertebrate mollusks that resemble snails without shells. They feed on both plant greens and root crops, often gnawing through them.
To prevent the appearance of slugs in the beds, traps are installed – small dug-in containers with beer or fermented kvass. These insects are completely unable to move on bulk materials, so crops can be surrounded by a barrier of dry needles, sand or wood ash. You can drive slugs off the site by treating the crops with infusions of bitter pepper or mustard. With a large number of pests, Slug-eater or Meta preparations are used.
cabbage fly
The cabbage fly can be distinguished from the common fly by a more elongated body and a longitudinal black stripe on the abdomen. The larvae of this insect eat young shoots of radish, damaging not only the leaves, but also the roots.
To combat the cabbage fly and as a prevention of its appearance, radishes are treated with broad-spectrum insecticides, for example, Danadim Expert.
Cabbage moth
The cabbage moth is a small butterfly with a wingspan of only about 15 mm. The danger to crops is the larvae of this insect, actively feeding on the greens of radishes and other plants of the Cruciferous family.
If there are signs of the appearance of a cabbage moth (yellowing of the leaves, retardation in growth, the appearance of rot), the plants must be treated with systemic insecticides, for example, Ditox.
Cabbage caterpillars
Butterfly white (cabbage) is familiar to many. For radishes and other plants of the Cabbage family, caterpillars of this insect are dangerous.
When the first butterflies emerge, precautions must be taken to prevent the butterflies from laying eggs. For this purpose, sharp-smelling plants are planted next to the crops, for example:
- Sagebrush.
- Basil.
- Sage.
To prevent the access of butterflies, radish crops are often covered with a fine mesh. Glue traps (honey water or sticky tape) are often used to kill flying insects. To combat caterpillars, Actellik is used, treating radish crops with it.
aphid
Aphids are microscopic sucking green insects. They are dangerous not only for radishes, but also for most other garden plants.
Feeding on the cell sap of plants, the aphid makes numerous punctures over the entire surface of the leaf plate. Leaves that are regularly deprived of nutrients because of this are oppressed, turn yellow and wither. Large colonies of aphids can completely kill plants.
Small aphid colonies can be washed off with a solution of laundry soap and water. The treatment of plants with infusions of herbs with a pungent odor has also proven itself well: garlic, onion, calendula. The same plants can be planted next to radishes. If aphid populations are significant, broad-spectrum insecticides such as Inta-Vir or Confidor should be used to treat radishes for these pests.
Video about the fight against radish garden pests:
Radish diseases and their treatment
Most radish diseases are associated either with poor-quality planting material or with unfavorable growth conditions. This may be excessive moisture, which contributes to the development of various fungal diseases, or, for example, excessive acidification of the soil, which causes diseases of the root system. This chapter describes the most common radish diseases and how to treat them, as well as showing photos of affected plants.
Gray mold
A fungal disease that affects most horticultural plants. Grows in conditions of high humidity and low temperature. It can affect various parts of the plant, appearing as brown or gray spots.
With the appearance of gray rot, the affected parts of the plants must be cut off and burned. To prevent the development of the disease, crops are treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur or fungicides.
white rust
White rust (bel) is a fungal disease that develops on radish leaves in conditions of prolonged low temperatures and high humidity. The disease is promoted by the neglect of the site, the presence of weeds and plant residues. It manifests itself in the form of an oily-white coating on the tops, then in these places the leaves turn brown and dry.
At a late stage of plant formation, the disease can also develop on root crops. Growths appear on them, while the aerial part of the plant begins to grow and branch vigorously, gradually drying out and then dying off.
If a disease is detected, the affected leaves must be immediately cut off and burned. For prevention and treatment at an early stage of infection, plantings are treated with solutions of colloidal sulfur, potassium permanganate; at a later stage of the development of the disease, it is more expedient to use Ridomil-Gold or Folicur fungicides. Often, shavings of laundry soap are added to the composition of the treatment solution. Such a composition wets the plants better and is not washed off with water for a longer time.
Redis mosaic
Mosaic refers to viral diseases of plants. Not only radishes are affected by it, but also a large number of other horticultural crops. The disease is very dangerous, because there is no cure for it. All infected plants must be destroyed by burning. You can detect a mosaic by characteristic spots of light green or light green color on a leaf plate, often in the form of various geometric shapes. Affected leaves are deformed, curled, gradually darken and die.
To prevent the appearance of a mosaic, it is necessary to inspect and cull the seed material. As a prophylactic, the seeds can be kept in a solution of special Horus or Topaz products. Of great importance for the prevention of morbidity is the fight against sucking pests that are carriers of the mosaic virus.
Mučnistaâ rosa
Powdery mildew is a well-known fungal disease that affects not only radishes, but also many other types of garden plants. The causative agent of the disease is soil fungi, so infection usually begins with the lowest leaves. It manifests itself in the form of a white or light gray powdery coating on the leaves, which eventually turn brown and die.
The disease progresses in conditions of high temperature and humidity. An unfavorable factor contributing to the development of the disease are also sharp fluctuations in temperature. To prevent the appearance of powdery mildew, it is usually enough to treat it once a week with a solution of colloidal sulfur or folk remedies: infusion of ash or yogurt diluted with water. When infected, radish crops are traditionally treated with copper-containing preparations, such as an aqueous solution of copper sulphate or Bordeaux mixture.
Downy Mildew
Peronosporosis, or downy mildew, is a fungal disease that develops on the leaves of radishes and other plants. Downy mildew can be recognized by small light green spots on the leaf plate, which gradually turn yellow and then turn brown. At the same time, a spore pad is formed on the reverse side of the leaf in the form of a gray velvety coating.
For the prevention of peronosporosis, plantings are sprayed twice with a solution of boric acid or with such means as Rizoplan or Pseudobacterin. A good result is the treatment of plants with folk remedies, for example, infusion of wormwood or garlic.
pounds
Kila is a specific fungal disease that is characteristic only for plants of the cruciferous family. Visually detecting the disease during growth is quite difficult, since only the underground part of the radish is affected. White growths form on the root crop, which then turn brown and rot. The root ceases to fulfill its function, the movement of nutrients slows down, and then stops. The plant lays down and dies. In the photo – a radish affected by this disease:
Kila is not curable. The area where this disease was noted is not recommended for sowing plants of the Cruciferous family for 8-10 years, taking it under potatoes or tomatoes. The disease often develops in conditions of high humidity on heavy clay soils, as well as in conditions of too high acidity of the soil. Therefore, prevention is an increase in soil friability by introducing sand, wood ash, as well as its deoxidation with dolomite flour or lime milk.
Blackleg
It is a fungal disease caused by soil fungi. It develops, as a rule, in the lower part of the stem. Within a short time, the stem becomes thinner and completely rots, after which the plant simply falls to the ground and dies.
The black leg is not treatable. Infected plants should be immediately removed from the garden and burned. It is possible to prevent the development of the disease if all the rules of agricultural technology are observed, as well as the use of high-quality planting material.
Vascular bacteriosis
Bacteriosis usually affects already adult plants that are at the stage of root formation. You can detect this disease by the color of the leaves. In the affected areas, the veins turn black, the leaf plate around them turns yellow and begins to crumble over time. The disease is carried by insects and can also be spread by rainwater.
Bacteriosis in its early stage of development is treatable. At this stage, it is possible to treat the radish with Fitolavin or Binoram, however, with a strong defeat, it will not be possible to save the plant, it must be destroyed. Many gardeners, as a preventive measure for this disease, soak radish seeds in hot water at a temperature of 45-50 ° C for 15 minutes before planting.
Signs of diseases and pests of radish
Most diseases, as well as the presence of pests in radish plantings, can be detected visually. Such signs are violations of the color of the leaves, their deformation, the appearance of holes in the leaf plates, etc. Plantings should be inspected regularly, many diseases can be cured if detected at an early stage.
What if the radish leaves are in the hole
If numerous small holes appeared on the leaves of the radish, then, most likely, cruciferous fleas could make them. Larger holes with jagged edges may indicate the presence of caterpillars of winged insects, such as white butterfly or cabbage moth. If the edges of the holes are brown, the material of the leaf plate rots and crumbles, then there is a high probability of the development of fungi on plants.
Why do radish leaves turn yellow?
Yellowing of radish leaves is not always associated with a disease. Perhaps the plants just do not have enough sunlight. The yellow color of the leaves may be due to a lack or excess of moisture. If yellowing is accompanied by wilting of the plant, keel may be the cause, causing a disruption in the movement of nutrients.
Another reason for the yellowing of radish leaves can be sucking insects (aphids or bugs), a large population of which can significantly inhibit crops.
Why do radishes turn black inside
Blackening of the radish root is usually associated with diseases. One of the reasons is peronosporosis, or downy mildew. At the initial stage, the disease affects the leaves, and then the fungus spreads to the entire plant. The root crop turns black and rots. However, not only diseases can lead to blackening of radishes. Quite often, this phenomenon is the result of improper care, in particular, rare but abundant watering. Another reason for the blackening of the radish root can be the increased acidity of the soil.
Why do radish leaves dry?
Drying leaves on a radish may indicate that the plant is affected by powdery mildew. When choosing seeds for planting, you should pay attention to varieties that are resistant to this disease. In addition to the disease, the usual lack of moisture can also cause the leaves to dry out. Therefore, watering the beds with radishes should be regular, especially in hot weather.
Preventive measures
To protect radishes from pests and diseases, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures in a timely manner, both with the plants themselves and with the site where this crop is grown.
- The place for the beds must be prepared in advance. When digging, add sand if the soil is not loose enough. Add dolomite flour or slaked lime if the acidity is above normal.
- Inspect and discard radish seeds.
- Before planting, soak the planting material in a disinfectant solution.
- After planting, provide the plants with good care. Timely watering radishes, weeding, loosening the soil.
- After the emergence of shoots, cull the shoots by removing thickening and weak plants.
- At the entire stage of growth and development, regularly monitor, promptly taking measures to remove diseased plants. If necessary, treat radish plantings with special preparations.
- Timely carry out protection measures, and, if necessary, treat radishes from insect pests.
Conclusion
Radish diseases are most often the result of improper care or the use of poor-quality planting material. Despite the fact that the plant is considered quite unpretentious, it needs some care to get a good harvest. It is quite simple, so do not neglect it.