Contents
Fungal diseases are the most dangerous for tomatoes. They infect leaves, stems, fruits, as a result of which plant growth stops. Spraying tomatoes with milk with iodine helps to correct the situation. This combination of components is safe for the environment, however, prevents the spread of harmful microorganisms. Processing of tomatoes is carried out for the treatment and prevention of viral diseases of tomatoes.
The benefits of milk for plants
Milk contains useful substances that have a positive effect on tomatoes:
- copper, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, calcium, iron and other trace elements;
- lactose, which is harmful to insects;
- amino acids that activate the growth process.
After spraying with milk, a film is formed on the leaves of tomatoes, protecting the plant from pests and fungus.
Feeding with milk has a positive effect on plants:
- metabolic processes are improved;
- the useful substances contained in the soil are absorbed faster;
- increasing the efficiency of the compost.
Tomatoes, which were grown with milk, contain many useful substances. When eating them, a person also receives these elements.
The advantage of milk is its environmental friendliness and safety. When working with it, additional protection for hands, eyes, respiratory system is not required.
Milk is useful for tomatoes during growth, when the need for nutrients is especially high. Dairy top dressing is also indispensable during the formation of fruits.
What kind of milk is suitable for spraying
For spraying tomatoes, raw milk is used, which contains a maximum of useful substances. It is allowed to use a pasteurized or processed product, however, the concentration of useful components in it is not so high.
Benefits tomatoes and whey, which remains after souring the product. Usually it is not used in its pure form, but diluted with water. Thus, the acid-base balance of the soil is maintained.
Whey from milk contains beneficial lactobacilli that can displace harmful microorganisms from tomatoes.
When the milk turns sour, it should be poured into a saucepan, and then heated over low heat. The liquid that begins to separate is then used for spraying. From one liter of milk, up to 600 ml of whey is formed.
For spraying tomatoes, a serum to water ratio of 1:3 is required. Many gardeners add laundry soap to the liquid. If this is not done, then the whey will drain down the leaves, which will not receive nutrients. Due to the soap, all useful substances will remain on the foliage.
To improve the properties of top dressing, iodine is added to non-fat milk. The result is a drug that has a complex effect on tomatoes.
The benefits of iodine for plants
Iodine is a chemical element that ensures the proper development of plants. With its shortage, tomatoes develop more slowly, which affects the quality and time of harvest.
Additional benefits of iodine are as follows:
- safe for soil, animals, plants, humans;
- performs the functions of disinfection, destroys harmful microorganisms on tomatoes;
- improves the germination of seed material;
- helps seedlings to take root after transplantation;
- strengthens the immunity of already growing tomatoes, heals them, increases productivity;
- after treatment with iodine, its content in fruits increases, which benefits human health;
- due to the increased content of iodine, the shelf life of tomatoes increases.
Iodine is especially useful in the spring during the period of plant development.
Tomatoes need time to adapt to new conditions.
Before planting, you can treat the soil with iodine. As a result, harmful bacteria that spread tomato diseases will be destroyed. The procedure is carried out 2-3 days before plant transplantation.
Before fertilizing tomatoes with preparations containing iodine, you need to water the soil well. With dry soil, processing of tomatoes is not carried out.
To disinfect the soil, one drop of iodine per 3 liters of water is enough. It is allowed to water a week after planting the plants in the ground.
Spray Features
You can process tomatoes growing in a greenhouse or open ground. Spraying a tomato with milk and iodine is done at a certain time:
- in the absence of bright sunlight;
- in the morning or evening;
- in dry windless weather;
- at the optimum ambient temperature – 18 degrees.
For the processing of tomatoes, a finely dispersed spray gun is used. In the course of work, you need to ensure that the product covers the leaves of plants.
Spraying time
To feed and prevent diseases, tomatoes are sprayed with milk and iodine. The first procedure is carried out two weeks after planting the seedlings. Subsequently, spraying is repeated every two weeks.
If the first signs of phytophthora or another lesion appear, then treatment with milk and iodine is allowed to be carried out daily.
The optimal time for spraying tomatoes with milk with the addition of iodine is the beginning of July. During this period, plants need amino acids that promote their growth.
Milk and iodine from phytophthora
Phytophthora is a fungal disease that is spread by spores. It is diagnosed by the following features:
- dark spots appear on the back of the foliage of tomatoes;
- leaves turn brown and dry;
- fruits turn black.
If the fungus has already begun to spread, then the tomatoes are almost impossible to save. If the lesion has affected only certain parts of the plant, then they are removed and then burned.
Phytophthora spores spread in calcareous soil at high humidity. If the greenhouse is rarely ventilated, then the risk of disease increases several times. Weakened tomatoes, which lack nutrients, are especially susceptible to late blight.
Various methods are used to combat phytophthora. All of them are based on the disinfection of the environment where tomatoes grow. A mixture of milk and iodine perfectly copes with this task.
If the disease has already spread, then treatment with iodine and milk should be carried out constantly. Since these are eco-friendly products, they can be used daily.
Only regular spraying will help ensure reliable protection. Otherwise, iodine and milk will quickly wash off the leaves after rain and watering. The acidic environment, which differs whey, is detrimental to the phytophthora fungus. The first treatment with iodine and milk can be carried out from July.
To combat phytophthora, the following mixtures are used:
- whey and water in a ratio of 1:1;
- a bucket of water, a liter of milk and 15 drops of iodine;
- 0,5 l of a dairy product and 10 drops of an iodine solution.
Solutions with a high concentration of iodine are necessary to prevent the spread of phytophthora. This tool is recommended to alternate with other methods of dealing with this fungus:
- a mixture of 10 liters of water, a glass of chopped shoots and heads of garlic and 1 g of potassium permanganate;
- a solution of salt in water;
- 100 g of crushed tinder fungus per 1 liter of water;
- a variety of chemicals.
Prevention of phytophthora
Phytophthora prevention can begin after planting. To do this, prepare 1 liter of milk or kefir, add up to 10 drops of iodine. The resulting mixture kills harmful microorganisms and does not allow them to develop.
In addition to processing tomatoes, you need to use the following methods to combat late blight:
- peat is added to the soil with a high lime content, sand is poured into the furrows;
- plantings are made according to certain schemes, observing the distances between the tomatoes;
- plants are watered in the morning so that moisture is absorbed into the soil;
- treatment of seedlings with milk with iodine;
- greenhouses and greenhouses are ventilated, which helps to avoid excessive moisture;
- in cloudy weather it is enough to loosen the soil;
- tomatoes need to be fed with potassium and phosphorus;
- do not plant nightshade crops (eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes) close to each other to avoid the spread of phytophthora;
- moderation when applying nitrogen and other fertilizers;
- prevent overripe fruits;
- grow tomatoes after cucumbers, garlic, onions, cabbage, pumpkins, legumes;
- carry out spraying with milk and iodine as a preventive measure.
Milk and iodine for other diseases
A solution of milk and iodine is also effective in other fungal diseases. Spraying rules are identical for any type of lesions.
brown spot
The appearance of brown spotting can be judged by the following signs:
- light spots form on the upper part of the leaves, which gradually turn yellow;
- on the underside, a brown or gray coating is observed;
- affected leaves dry out over time;
- fruits and stems are deficient in nutrition.
If there are signs of brown spotting, the tomatoes are sprayed with a mixture of 0,5 liters of fat-free milk and 10 drops of iodine.
Gray mold
On tomatoes, gray rot appears first on old leaves in the form of a fluffy coating. The causative agent is attracted by broken leaves and stems, cracked fruits. First, the lesion covers the lower leaves, after which it spreads up to the fruits.
The fight against the disease begins at an early stage. To do this, milk is diluted with water, after which 10 drops of iodine are added. Processing begins from the bottom of the plant, from where the gray rot spreads.
Tobacco mosaic virus
Tomatoes are susceptible to the tobacco mosaic virus, which disrupts the process of photosynthesis in the leaves. You can identify the disease by a number of signs:
- beige stains of a mosaic type on the leaves;
- spotted areas on the foliage of a light and dark shade.
The virus can be in a passive state for 5 years. Therefore, before planting, the seeds are treated with caustic sodium or a solution of potassium permanganate.
To prevent the disease, it is recommended to treat tomato seedlings with milk diluted with water and 10 drops of iodine. When adverse symptoms appear, the plant is removed to avoid the spread of the virus.
Fusarium wilt
The causative agent of this disease germinates with tomatoes through seeds. Withering occurs after the formation of fruits, after which the plant weakens and dies. The cause of infection is often damage to the roots, after which the virus penetrates the soil.
Fusarium disease can be controlled by seed treatment. For its prevention, a solution is used that includes 10 liters of water, 1 liter of low-fat milk and 20 drops of iodine.
Feeding Recipes
Even healthy plants require top dressing in the form of milk with iodine. This mixture is a source of nutrients and prevention of fungal diseases.
- The first feeding of tomatoes is carried out at the seedling stage. This requires a bucket of water, where add 1 liter of milk and 15 drops of iodine solution. Watering strengthens plants and increases their resistance to harmful microbes.
- The second feeding is done after the tomatoes are planted in the ground. Pre-prepare a solution consisting of 5 liters of water, 1 liter of milk and 10 drops of iodine. Such top dressing is more concentrated and is necessary for plants before flowering. Each tomato requires up to 0,5 liters of the finished product. The procedure is repeated every 3 days.
- When the fruiting period begins, top dressing is done twice a week. It is best to combine it with other preparations to provide tomatoes with other beneficial substances. Adult plants are watered before the onset of heat in the morning.
Top dressing with milk and iodine is carried out on an ongoing basis. Its purpose is to provide plants with nutrients.
Conclusion
Milk with iodine helps fight viral diseases that tomatoes are prone to. Instead of milk, you can use whey obtained from a sour dairy product. This is a universal drug that helps with most types of fungus. The agent is mixed in the required proportions depending on the disease.
Spraying with milk with the addition of iodine should also be carried out as a preventive measure. Due to it, the spread of harmful microorganisms can be prevented.
