Watermelon diseases and their treatment: first signs, preventive measures, 3 effective folk recipes

Symptoms of diseases

Most diseases appear as spots on the leaves. Photo: greentalk.ru

1. Fungi, viruses and bacteria that overwinter in the soil are carried by the wind. Therefore, it is important to treat both the planting material and the soil before planting.
2. Pests . They not only carry many diseases, but also feed on plant sap, weakening them. That is why it is so important that the fight against them begins immediately after the first signs are detected.
3. Incorrect care . All agrotechnical measures for cultivation should be observed, plant areas should be cleaned - the garden bed should be clean, complex fertilizers should be used to increase the immunity of plants.

Proper care minimizes the risk of diseases and pests.
Photo: ekotec.com.ua The author of the video talks about the main diseases of melons and melons. Focuses on how to treat watermelon in spring and summer to reduce the risk of illnesses:

Bacterial spot

This disease of watermelons is considered one of the most common not only on this plant, but also on other melon crops. The first signs of the disease are found already on the cotyledon leaves. But if here the spots are round or shapeless, then on real leaves the spots are limited to veins and already have a pronounced angular shape. The tissue inside the stain first turns brown, and then dries out and crumbles.

When fruits are damaged, the brownish spots that appear grow over time and have an oily, blurry appearance. The tissues under such spots change appearance right up to the middle of the fruit, as a result of which the watermelons become deformed and completely lose quality. Even small manifestations of the disease on watermelons, as in the photo, lead to unsuitability of the fruit, which rots after a short time.

The infection persists on plant debris, in the upper layers of the soil, as well as on equipment, structural parts of greenhouses and containers for storing watermelons.

If the melon plant is wet or dew falls, drops of liquid teeming with bacteria appear in places damaged by rot. As a result, the source of infection with insects, moisture and equipment is spread to neighboring plants and ridges. The penetration of bacterial flora occurs through the damaged surface of stems, leaves and ovaries.

In just 5–7 days, the bacteria produce the next generation and are ready to infect new plants. Therefore, it is from bacterial rot that 30 to 50% of plantings and harvests can die.

Inspect watermelons regularly to detect pests

Gray rot

The causative agent is the pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Its spores are well tolerated by wind and draft. The fungus grows and multiplies rapidly in damp, cool weather. When infected, a watermelon has a typical appearance:

• young fruits and ovaries become watery;
• lesions contain black sclerotia;
• diseased areas are covered with moldy fluffy mycelium.

Gray rot

Sclerotia remain in the ground for up to 2-3 years. The maximum peak incidence occurs at a temperature of 15 degrees. When it increases, outbreaks of epidemics may weaken.

Control measures

All diseased parts must be completely removed. The same applies to weeds growing in the neighborhood. The following recipes are considered effective for processing:

1. A solution of 1g zinc sulfate, 10g urea and 2g copper sulfate. All this is diluted in 10 liters of liquid.
2. Paste of chalk powder (2 parts) and copper sulfate solution (1 part).

Gray rot

You need to be careful about watering. Under no circumstances should the soil be over-moistened. Watering can only be done after removing damaged areas of watermelons.

Spray with infusions and decoctions for prevention

White rot

The scientific name of the fungal disease is sclerotinia. The main causative agent is the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The main natural conditions conducive to infection:

• high humidity;
• sudden weather changes;
• temperature drop to 12 degrees and below.

White rot

White rot loves watermelon for its thin, delicate leaves. A characteristic sign of the disease is brown spots with a white coating. She destroys:

• stems;
• fruit,
• leaves.

White rot

Control measures

The main thing is to have time, as quickly as possible, to get rid of infected areas of the plant that are beginning to deteriorate. Densely growing watermelons are thinned out and excess side shoots are cut out. Clear the space of weeds. Create all conditions for free air circulation. Good spraying products are:

• 0.5% copper sulfate;
• paste of potassium permanganate, water, crushed chalk.

Then it is important to treat the watermelons with crushed coal or lime. In autumn, all remains from diseased plants must be destroyed. The earth is plowed deeply.

Water and fertilize moderately

Downy mildew

Occurs when infected with a pathogenic fungus. The scientific name of the disease is peronosporosis.

Downy mildew

Initially, the first signs become noticeable on old leaves. The disease progresses rapidly, affecting young leaves. What you can see upon closer inspection:

• angular spots of soft beige color on the front side of the sheet;
• darkened purple spots on the underside after rains;
• underdeveloped twisted fruits.

Downy mildew

Control measures

Before flowering, it is important to have time to spray:

• 80% cuprazan;
• 90% price

The treatment is done again 3 weeks before harvesting the fruits. 1% Bordeaux mixture can be used 3 times, both during the fruiting period and 5 days before harvesting. Intervals should be at least a week. In autumn, all remains are destroyed by fire.

Olive spot

The causative agent is a fungus. The fruits suffer the most, but all above-ground organs are also involved in the pathological process. The source of infection can be the dried remains of a diseased plant. Main manifestations of the disease:

• irregularly shaped spots on the leaves;
• cankers on stems and petioles;
• ulcerative erosions on fruits;
• an olive-colored coating on the affected areas that occurs with high humidity.
• drying and falling off of the ovaries.

Olive spot

Control measures

If initial symptoms are detected, spraying should be carried out quickly. The following drugs are effectively used for treatment:

• 80% cuprosan;
• 80% zineb;
• 50% benlat.

In addition, weeding is carried out and diseased leaves are removed.

Olive spot fight

Prevention comes down to mandatory measures:

• alternation during crop rotation;
• burning plant residues in autumn.

Reviews from gardeners

Alena Latvia

After two days of terrible downpours, 50% of my watermelons turned pale and began to wither, and root rot began to develop. Everything is already blooming, the vines are 50-70 cm long and are rotting in the ground.

Source: dacha.wcb.ru

Elenagodos

Last year, my watermelons had a similar thing (I suspect that they sat under cover without ventilation for a long time). As advised, I sprayed profit gold, all the new leaves became spotless, and I tore off the affected ones.

Source: www.forumhouse.ru

Anthracnose

The disease is simply called copperhead. It is caused by a pathogenic fungus. The appearance of the diseased plant is quite characteristic. The disease is difficult to confuse with something else.

Typical signs of anthracnose:

• yellow spots on leaves with special pads - in a pinkish or yellowish palette;
• black or brown ulcerative lesions of shoots and fruits;
• the appearance of characteristic pink plaques on the affected areas in damp rainy weather.

Anthracnose

Watermelons quickly dry out or rot if there is severe infection and rapid flow.

Control measures

The sooner you treat a diseased plant, the better. What do you recommend using for this? Proven drugs are:

• 80% cuprosan in the form of a suspension;
• 50% benlate;
• 1% Bordeaux mixture;
• 80% zineb.

melon aphid

One of the most common and unpleasant infections of watermelons. The main culprit is black aphids. Tiny insects, no more than 1-2 mm, attack watermelon plantations with tremendous speed. They feel most comfortable at a temperature of 12 degrees and high humidity. Colonies parasitize the lower parts of leaves. Due to intensive reproduction, it seems that watermelons are completely covered with aphids.

melon aphid

The main symptoms that help to correctly identify the cause of the disease:

• leaves become curled and fall off;
• aphid colonies are visible to the naked eye;
• the flowers disappear and do not set.

Aphids can cause large crop losses. Plants die, and aphids move to pumpkin and squash crops. Insects are perfectly adapted to cold temperatures.

melon aphid

For the winter they hide on weedy neighbors:

• shepherd's purse;
• thistle;
• mustard;
• radish.