Treatment of strawberries from gray rot during fruiting, after harvest

Often the reason for the loss of a significant part of the crop is gray rot on strawberries. Its pathogen can be in the ground and, under favorable conditions, begins rapid development. To prevent damage to plants by a fungus, it is necessary to know not only the rules for dealing with it, but also preventive measures.

What does gray mold look like on strawberries?

Signs of gray rot on strawberries are easy to notice. Initially, rapidly growing brown spots appear on the leaves, stalks, buds, ovaries, berries of the affected plants. Then they are covered with spores that form a gray coating. The leaves turn yellow, the fruits become watery, gradually dry out and turn into dark, hard lumps.

In one season, gray rot carries out up to 12 reproductive cycles

Causes of gray rot on strawberries

The causative agent of gray rot on strawberries is the mold fungus Botrytis cinerea (botrytis gray). It overwinters well in plant debris and soil, after which it forms spores that are easily carried by wind and moisture.

The main reasons for its development include:

1. High air humidity.
2. Over watering or prolonged rainfall.
3. Low air and soil temperatures.
4. Landing thickening.
5. Lack of proper ventilation bushes.
6. Direct contact of berries with the soil.

How to process strawberries from gray rot during fruiting, after harvesting in the fall

The disease develops rapidly and it is unsafe to fight it during the fruiting period with the help of chemicals. At this time, you can only stop the spread of the infection by manually collecting damaged parts of strawberries or folk processing methods that are considered more gentle and harmless. In the fall, after harvesting, the bushes are sprayed with strong chemicals that are guaranteed to get rid of fungal diseases.

Berries infect each other very quickly

Preparations against gray rot on strawberries

Preparations that treat plants from gray rot are divided into chemical and biological. The former can only be applied before flowering and after harvest, since the recommended waiting period for them is about thirty days.

Biological preparations penetrate into plants and help to increase their immunity, the production of substances that prevent infection by fungi. The waiting period for them is up to five days.

In order for the use of gray rot products on strawberries to be effective, a number of requirements for the procedure must be met:

1. Spray plants only in the evening, morning hours or during the day in cloudy weather.
2. In rainy weather, they are carried out more often (after 5-14 days).
3. For a single procedure, only one fungicide is used.

Copper sulfate from gray rot on strawberries

Copper sulphate is used to kill gray rot before the strawberry vegetation begins. When the rosette of new leaves has not yet appeared above the soil surface, it is sprayed with a solution of the drug. To do this, 10 g (one teaspoon) of copper sulfate is diluted in 5 liters of water.

In autumn, copper sulphate is used as a microfertilizer

Trichopol from gray rot on strawberries

Trichopol, or Metronidazole (Trichopol, Metronidazolum) is a reliable and inexpensive remedy. It is designed to fight bacterial infections in humans. Gardeners use it to treat strawberries for gray rot – they dilute ten to twenty tablets in 10 liters of water and spray the plants. Processing must be carried out after each rain. To enhance the bactericidal action, a bottle of brilliant green (10 ml) is added to the solution.

Metronidazole is cheaper than Trichopolum

Chorus

A modern pesticide is aimed at combating fungal diseases. The active substance inhibits the biosynthesis of amino acids, which leads to disruption of the life cycle of pathogens at the time of mycelium growth. Strawberries are processed with Horus no more than two or three times per season – at the beginning of the growing season and three weeks before harvesting. To obtain a working fluid, 3 g of granules are dissolved in 10 liters of water.

After spraying, part of the preparation remains in the upper layer of plant tissues.

Teldor

A few hours after treatment with the drug, a moisture-resistant film is formed on the foliage, preventing pathogens from penetrating inside the plants. The difference between Teldor is that the composition includes fenhexamid, which has a systemic localized effect.

Work is carried out on a clear day, with little or no wind.

Phytosporin-M

Natural biofungicide, which contains live spores of hay bacillus. The hazard class is the fourth. Strawberries are sprayed from gray rot in the phase of the nomination of peduncles, opening of buds and the beginning of ripening of berries. The flow rate of the working fluid is 6 liters per one hundred square meters.

Phytosporin – gray or white powder

Alirin

The drug is not only able to fight gray rot on strawberries, but also restores soil microflora. The biological agent acts immediately after treatment and lasts about two weeks. It is used both for spraying and watering under the root. The consumption rate is six to ten tablets per 10 liters of water.

Alirin is incompatible with antibiotics and bactericidal agents

Chistoflor

The biological preparation is effective in the fight against gray rot and powdery mildew. You can spray both before flowering and after harvesting. The waiting period is twenty days, two treatments are required.

From the use of Chistoflor, a stimulating effect for plants is possible

Folk methods of dealing with gray rot on strawberries

To get rid of rot, you can use time-tested folk remedies. They are safe for people, insects and the environment.

Yeast from gray mold on strawberries

The yeast solution not only helps to protect the berries from gray rot, but also increases the fertility of the soil and improves its structure. To prepare it, 1 kg of pressed yeast is diluted in warm water (5 l), and diluted 10 times immediately before watering the strawberries.

To replenish potassium in the soil, ordinary ash is added to the yeast.

Soda from gray rot strawberries

When brown spots appear on strawberries, they are treated with soda solution several times with a weekly break between procedures. To prepare a solution in 10 liters of settled water, add 40 g of baking soda.

Together with soda, add 2-3 tablespoons of liquid soap to the water.

A mixture of soda, garlic, soap

A mixture of 100 g of chopped garlic, 35 g of soda, 70 g of mustard powder, 15 g of tar soap, one tablespoon of needle extract and 8 liters of warm water has a greater effect. Processing is carried out at the stage when the berries are still green.

Mustard improves soil composition

Iodine

An iodine-based solution is applied in the spring, before flowering. The multiplicity of procedures is three times before the ovaries appear. To prepare the liquid, fifteen drops of iodine, one glass of whey and 10 liters of warm water are mixed.

Iodine can destroy fungi and other simple microorganisms

Маргацовка

To prevent infection and repel pests, a solution of potassium permanganate with the addition of a few drops of boric acid is often used. The water should be hot (50 ⁰С), and the color of the liquid should be bright pink.

The solution must be mixed very carefully.

How to protect strawberries from gray rot

In combination with treatments, it is necessary to use preventive measures to minimize the possibility of developing gray rot. Among them:

1. Establishing a strawberry plantation only on loose soil.
2. Choose a well-lit area for planting.
3. Timely thinning of plants.
4. Humidity control.
5. Use of mulch to prevent contact with the ground.
6. Regular weeding.
7. Removal of diseased and affected berries.

Strawberry varieties resistant to gray rot

There are other ways to avoid fungus. In the photo – strawberry varieties resistant to gray rot. When grown, the risk of fungal infection is significantly reduced:

1. Early varieties (Alba, Honey, Honey, Clery, Elvira).

   

2. Mid-early ripening period (Crown, Tago, Slavutich).

   

3. Late (Symphony, Mitze Schindler).

   

Conclusion

Gray rot on strawberries is very common. To combat it, you can use any of the methods or several in combination. The use of prevention methods and a timely response to the appearance of the fungus will certainly give a positive result.