Effective treatment and prevention of chlorosis of cucumbers

Cucumber chlorosis: photo and description of the disease

A disease caused by a disruption in the formation of chlorophyll in the leaves, which reduces the dynamics of the photosynthesis process.

In the green foliage, under the influence of sunlight, oxygen is formed, which ensures the life of all life on Earth, and a lot of energy, without which the growth and development of green plants is not possible.

Chlorosis of cucumber leaves can be cured if measures are taken at the initial stage of occurrence.

Types of chlorosis

There are several types of disease:

• infectious;
• non-infectious (or functional);
• edaphic;
• carbonate.

Speaking about cucumbers, it is worth noting that vegetables more often suffer from non-infectious chlorosis.

1. The causative agents of infectious diseases are viruses, fungi, microorganisms. They are carried by harmful insects.
2. Non-infectious - occurs due to unfavorable weather, lack of nutrients in the soil, or violation of the methods of growing crops.
3. Bad weather, such as prolonged rains, contributes to the appearance of edaphic chlorosis. It also occurs if there is a lot of lime and salts in the soil.
4. The carbonate species develops on soils that are too alkaline.

What causes chlorosis and what does it look like?

There are many reasons for the appearance of this disease, and they are very diverse in nature:

1. Lack or excess of microelements.
2. Insufficient or excessive watering of plants.
3. The appearance of viral or infectious diseases.
4. Cold or hot weather.
5. Lack of lighting.
6. Pest infestation.
7. Constant drafts.

This disease looks like this on cucumber bushes: first, yellow areas appear on the edges of the leaves. Then the areas between the veins become yellow, while the veins themselves remain dark green. Gradually, the greens of the cucumbers completely turn yellow and die. This happens due to a lack of chlorophyll, which is produced to color plants green. But chlorophyll cannot be produced for a number of reasons.

Causes of the disease

There are various reasons for the development of chlorosis of cucumber leaves:

1. Lack of nutrient minerals and microelements in the soil : iron, magnesium, nitrogen, sulfur, zinc is one of the common causes of the disease.
2. The development of the disease is facilitated by harmful insects - carriers of infection caused by fungi and viruses.
3. The acidity of the soil, in which nutrients are not absorbed by the roots . There are enough of them in the soil, but they are not available to the plant.
4. Poor soil drainage allows water to accumulate near the root system, which can lead to chlorosis.
5. There is little room for roots to fully develop.
6. roots damaged during picking or replanting can also cause plant disease.

Mild stage of chlorosis
To find out how to treat chlorosis of cucumbers, you need to figure out what the cause of its occurrence is.

Relapse is possible

After completing treatment, you should not relax. Regularly monitor the level of alkali concentration in the soil. The more it is, the more difficult it is for seedlings to consume nutrients. The solution is to increase the acidity level of the soil. The seedlings are watered with 3 m³ of nitric phosphoric acid diluted in 10 liters of clean water.

Poor drainage is the second reason leading to relapse. The root system should be moderately moistened. Stagnation of water, as well as its shortage, is unacceptable. The third reason for a possible relapse is errors during picking and transplanting. It is enough to slightly damage the root or stem for the pathogen to penetrate the plant. The drug “Clean Sheet” or “Radiopharm” will help speed up the rooting process after moving. The dosage is chosen taking into account the recommendations on the packaging.

Additional symptoms

The signs of all types of chlorosis of cucumbers are the same. At the very beginning of the disease:

• leaves turn yellow, both old and young;
• the regrown foliage is small;
• leaves curl at the edges.

initial stage

If you do not start treating leaf chlorosis on cucumbers, the disease progresses:

• leaves and flowers fall;
• buds and flowers take on an ugly shape;
• the root system develops poorly and dies over time;
• the tops of the shoots dry out.

Development of the disease

But the disease affects not only vegetables in open ground.

Chlorosis on cucumbers in a greenhouse is a fairly common occurrence. The soil in the greenhouse does not change, the special microclimate - all this contributes to the development of the disease. Often, gardeners plant cucumbers under film too often, which causes the roots to suffer because they do not have enough space and the plants do not have enough oxygen.

The non-infectious type of disease is not as dangerous for cucumbers as the infectious one. Treatment of non-infectious chlorosis leads to recovery of the plant without consequences for the yield.

But infectious chlorosis is useless to treat. Diseased plants are destroyed.

Signs of different types of chlorosis

An imbalance of microelements is easy to treat, just add fertilizer, but you need to know what substance is missing or in excess.

So, if a plant lacks magnesium, the underside of the leaf first turns pale, and after the entire green part has discolored, the edges acquire a purple tint. An excess of magnesium leads to the death of the root system, in which case the leaves curl and darken.

When there is a nitrogen deficiency, the lower leaves are the first to suffer. Over time, the yellow color gives way to brown. A different picture is observed with an excess of the element. The color of the plant changes to dark green, after which the leaves curl. Slightly transparent spots that appeared at the beginning become yellow or gray-brown.

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Lack of iron also leads to a change in the usual color of cucumbers to brown, but the damage begins from the upper shoots. If the leaves begin to discolor between the veins, there is most likely an excess of iron or zinc in the soil. Zinc deficiency also leads to loss of the enzyme, but in certain areas of the cucumber greens.

Yellow leaves with rusty edges indicate a manganese deficiency. The appearance of brown spots, on the contrary, indicates an excess of the substance. A large amount of manganese is found in acidic soil.

With a lack of potassium, there is a sharp change in color from green to brown, without yellowness. At the same time, a mosaic pattern is a sign of excess potassium. A high concentration of the element inhibits the development of the crop and can lead to the loss of the entire crop.

When chlorosis is caused by excessive watering or rainy weather, the leaves turn pale and wither. Serous spots form and rot may appear. If soil moisture is not reduced, the shoots and root system will begin to rot.

Cold weather can cause leaves to turn yellow or develop spots. With a lack of lighting, in addition to the loss of pigment, the plant develops smaller leaves and thin stems.

Pests such as spider mites prefer the back side of leaves. Having examined the plant, you can notice small cobwebs. Cucumbers turn yellow and then wither. When cucumbers are infected by nematodes, the plant becomes deformed and dwarfism of leaves, shoots and fruits is observed. However, nematodes on cucumbers are rare; more often they are aphids or spider mites.

Varieties resistant to crop diseases

To protect themselves and the harvest, gardeners choose cucumber varieties that are relatively resistant to disease. Fortunately, breeding work to improve varieties does not stop, and there are:

• Murashka F1, Caprice;
• Rodnichok F1, Son of the regiment;
• Delicacy, Crane;
• Benefit, Phoenix plus;
• Masha F1, April, Competitor and many others.

It is unfair to say that these varieties do not get sick at all, while others will definitely get sick. Incorrect cultivation and care technology can lead to disease in any of the most viable varieties, and vice versa.

Drugs for chlorosis

We offer you a brief description of drugs that can be used to cure non-infectious chlorosis.

• Iron chelate is a microfertilizer that represents iron in chelated form, which allows plants to completely absorb this element;
• Chelatin is a microfertilizer that contains iron in chelated form. Used for foliar treatment and root feeding in the fight against chlorosis;
• Ferovit is a universal stimulator of photosynthesis and plant respiration, used for the prevention, treatment and protection against chlorosis of indoor, vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops and containing a highly concentrated solution of iron chelate;
• Brexil is a series of meso- and microelements and their compounds in a chelate complex, specially designed for the treatment and prevention of chlorosis using foliar feeding. The series includes drugs such as Brexil Ca (containing calcium), Brexil Mg (magnesium), Brexil Mn (manganese), Brexil Fe (iron) and so on;
• Iron sulfate is iron-II sulfate, an antiseptic, a contact fungicide and at the same time a microfertilizer containing iron in chelated form;
• Orton Micro-Fe is a universal microfertilizer for foliar feeding of vegetable and garden crops, containing essential microelements and iron in chelated form, eliminating the manifestations of chlorosis and helping to increase plant resistance to adverse environmental conditions and diseases;
• Ferylene (Ferrilen) is a universal chelate fertilizer for foliar feeding of vegetables, fruits and berries, ornamental crops and flowers, improving the synthesis of chlorophyll by plants;
• Agrecol is a multicomponent mineral concentrated fertilizer for indoor, balcony and garden plants with symptoms of chlorosis due to iron deficiency.

Fighting methods

It is not difficult to treat non-infectious chlorosis of cucumbers; the main thing is to correctly determine the cause of the disease.

The most common is lack of nutrition in the soil. Due to a lack of minerals, yellowing of cucumber leaves is observed in different ways. Therefore, if you look closely, you can determine what is missing (and sometimes there is an oversaturation of minerals - data further on the list) for the growth of the plant:

1. There are thin veins on the leaf plate. The areas between them are interveinal. Old leaves are located in the lower part of the plant, closer to the roots, and new young leaves are located on top. If the interveinal areas on the upper (young) leaves turn yellow, then the cucumbers lack iron . Greenery acquires a brown color from a lack of iron , and lightened areas between the veins indicate an oversaturation with iron .
2. Yellowing of the veins (veins) themselves indicates a lack of sulfur and nitrogen .
3. Yellow veins on old (lower) leaves indicate a lack of nitrogen . With a lack of nitrogen, the leaves turn yellow and brown. When there is too much nitrogen , the foliage curls.
4. When the interveinal spaces of the lower leaves turn yellow, the plant requires magnesium . With a lack of magnesium, the leaves turn pale on the underside, and when the entire leaf turns white, a purple border appears along the edges. Darkening of leaves and curling indicate excess mineral in the soil.
5. A lack of manganese manifests itself as rust along the edges of leaves. When the leaf blade becomes covered with brown spots, it means there is too much manganese .
6. Greens turn brown, bypassing the yellowing stage - a sign of potassium deficiency . Excess is expressed in the form of the appearance of openwork patterns on the leaves.

Adding minerals

Supplements containing the necessary nutrition:

• iron - iron chelate;
• sulfur - ammonium sulfate;
• nitrogen - urea;
• magnesium - magnesium sulfate.

The plant is sprayed with iron sulfate, or better yet, with preparations containing chelated forms of iron. All of these substances are purchased in the store:

• iron chelate;
• Ferovit;
• Micro-Fe;
• Ferrylene.

The photo shows fertilizers for the treatment of chlorosis of cucumbers:

If there is a lack of iron, you can use a simple folk remedy - bury an old rusty tin can or nail in the root zone.

Fertilizers containing magnesium:

• potassium magnesia;
• dolomite flour;
• Mag-Bor.

Wood ash is suitable as a folk remedy. Pour 1 tbsp. l. ash in a liter of water.

Sulfur is present in the following preparations:

• Azofoska;
• Diammofoska.

Ammonium sulfate cannot be used for plants in a greenhouse, since the soil is not washed due to the film, and sulfate is the enemy of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. In the greenhouse, it is advisable to use only ballast-free (when all components are well absorbed) fertilizers.

This is how non-infectious chlorosis on cucumbers caused by a lack of nutrition in the soil is treated.

It must be remembered that nitrogen-containing fertilizers cannot be used when cucumbers are preparing to flower. Nitrogen retards the development of buds. The plant will gain green mass and “fatten.” To avoid an excess of minerals, you must strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging.

Eliminating the causes of chlorosis

Basic methods to improve the absorption of essential minerals:

1. When the soil is alkalized, plants do not absorb nitrogen and iron : acidifying the soil . Cucumbers are watered at the root with nitric phosphoric acid. Dilute 3-5 cubes of acid in a bucket of water (10 liters). The acidity of the soil increases and it becomes alkalized.
2. Chlorosis caused by poor drainage is treated by drying the soil. It is necessary to establish proper watering of plants to prevent soaking of the roots.
3. Due to inaccurate picking , plant roots are often damaged during replanting. Until they are restored, the plant does not have access to the required amount of nutritional minerals. To prevent the recovery period from being prolonged, rooting agents are used when picking: Radiopharm, Clean Sheet .

How to deal with the disease?

If there is a lack of microelements, you need to feed it. Depending on the type of deficiency, cucumbers can be treated with the right element.

Iron extract can be prepared at home. To do this, add 4 grams of citric acid and 6 grams of ferrous sulfate to 1 liter of boiled water. The mixture is thoroughly mixed. The solution should be light orange. The mixture is watered over the plants and the leaves are sprayed.

Another effective method of replenishing iron in the soil is to bury a rusty nail in the ground, nothing complicated, but the result is excellent.

For insect pests that cause chlorosis, use ready-made solutions or powders sold in stores.

A popular method for exterminating pests is to finely grate an onion and infuse it in water for several days. This solution is used to spray greens affected by spider mites or thrips.

Prevention

It is always easier to prevent a disease than to fight it.

Compliance with crop cultivation technology and careful care are the key to plant health and future harvest:

1. You can't plant cucumbers too often.
2. The landing site should be sunny and bright.
3. Water moderately, avoiding overwatering; apply fertilizing without fanaticism.

The main thing is to carefully inspect your plantings. Changes noticed in time will indicate problems, which, if eliminated, will prevent the spread of the disease.

Influence of weather conditions

In the list of reasons why cucumber leaves can change their color, there are circumstances beyond the control of summer residents that are difficult to control, but their influence can be mitigated. These include a lack of sunlight, as well as a significant difference between day and night temperatures, which also affects the condition of the soil.

Overcast

Cucumbers are a light-loving crop. The slightest lack of natural light can affect the condition of the foliage, which will begin to lighten. This is usually the most common cause of the phenomenon we are considering. And with a change in weather and the resumption of full sunlight, the foliage, as a rule, returns to its original state.

Temperature changes

Another factor that can have a serious impact on the formation of chlorophyll and the activity of photosynthesis in plants. The healthy appearance of a crop is directly dependent on both changes in air temperature and the difference between its day and night values. Covering them with any non-woven material will help keep them warm in stressful situations for plants when it gets cold.

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Cold soil

Air temperature has a direct impact on soil temperature. Another factor is water for irrigation. Many (if not all) summer residents know that the water must settle and warm up in the sun for at least a day before using it for irrigation, but sometimes, due to lack of time, the good old “maybe” works for the summer resident, and fresh cold water is used water. If you, too, have become a “victim” of this development of events, do not repeat this mistake in the future, and in the event of an impending cold snap, cover the plants at night. You can additionally water the plants with a growth stimulant (Heteroauxin, Epin Extra, etc.).

During weather “troubles”, it is especially important to be attentive to plants and follow the agricultural techniques for growing them: regulate watering, feed on time and prevent the occurrence of infections.

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What to do if cucumber leaves turn yellow at the edges

If a yellow border appears along the edge of the leaf, but the middle does not change color, this indicates that the cucumbers do not have enough potassium. After some time, the edge curls down and dries out.

The lack of potassium can be compensated for by feeding the cucumbers leaves with potassium sulfate. 30 grams of powder are diluted in 5 liters of water, treatment is carried out after sunset. Fertilizers can be applied at the root, but you just need to water them first.

Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves): causes, diagnosis, treatment

Chlorosis is a change in the color of plant leaves, warning of a lack of nutrients in the soil. Typically, chlorosis is expressed in yellowing of the upper or lower leaves, but the leaves do not turn completely yellow - the veins remain green, or vice versa, the veins turn yellow, but the rest of the leaves remain green.

Chlorosis rarely leads to plant death, but reduces immunity and yield. Therefore, when you see yellowed or whitened leaves, you need to diagnose the cause of the phenomenon and take measures to combat chlorosis. Most often, these measures are expressed in emergency foliar fertilizing with fertilizer - irrigating the leaves of the plant with a nutrient solution of the element that the plant needs.

A laboratory can reliably determine the cause of chlorosis, but without additional tests it is possible to very accurately determine the type of chlorosis: iron chlorosis, sulfur chlorosis, magnesium chlorosis, nitrogen chlorosis or zinc chlorosis. The name of the disease indicates the cause of yellowing of the leaves - if iron chlorosis, then the plant is in great need of iron.

What to do if cucumber leaves turn yellow

If chlorosis is caused by a non-infectious cause, then the measures for caring for cucumber beds should be reconsidered:

1. thickened plantings should be straightened out. Leaves that lacked light will turn green under the rays of the sun. The same will happen if the roots could not develop due to limited space;
2. if there is not enough sun due to the wrong place for planting, then the young plants should be replanted by digging them out along with the lump. For better survival, you can lay the lower part of the stem on the ground and pin it. Additional roots form in the place of the sinuses;
3. Watering in dry weather should be frequent and abundant. The deeper the soil gets wet, the better. Water only after the soil dries;
4. In hot weather, it is advisable to shade cucumber plantings from the midday heat. You can install a light support and stretch white agrofibre with a density of 15 g/m2 over the cucumbers. The height of the canopy must be no less than 1.5 meters above the ground. The space between the agrofiber and cucumbers should be well ventilated.
5. If there is a lack of nutrition, it is necessary to add the missing microelements. Cucumbers respond best to foliar feeding. They quickly recover, produce new shoots and set full-fledged fruits;
6. If yellowing of the foliage is a sign of yellow or green mosaic, then there is no cure for this disease. If the cucumbers get sick at an early stage of development, then it is best to destroy the plantation and plant new plants in another place. Under favorable conditions, cucumbers grow quickly and form new ovaries throughout the summer.

Why the leaves turned yellow: causes of chlorosis

The causes of chlorosis are difficult to determine - the predisposition of some plants to chlorosis, the attack of pests and fungal diseases, viruses and improper plant care play a role. Indirect causes of chlorosis are acidic soil, unsuitable soil mixture for the plant, lack of drainage in the pot, damage to the roots during replanting, or pests.

Chlorosis affects decorative, indoor and garden plants, as well as berry bushes and vegetable crops. Lemons, hydrangeas, azaleas, pridenias and other crops growing in acidic soil are more susceptible to the disease than others. In the garden, strawberries (strawberries), apple trees, pear trees, raspberries and currants suffer from chlorosis.

Most often, the cause of the disease is a complex violation of growing conditions, coupled with a lack of micro- and macroelements. More precisely, the lack of nutrients is caused by a violation of agricultural technology. It is also common to distinguish viral chlorosis, which is caused by a viral disease.