Sunflower diseases: photo and description

Despite the fact that almost all sunflower varieties have very strong immunity and resistance to infection, there are still some crops that are one way or another subject to attacks from pests and, accordingly, can survive diseases and negative manifestations. As a rule, sunflower diseases develop quickly enough due to the fact that the gardener did not give the plant enough care, did not show due attention, did not follow the rules of agricultural technology and cultivation.

Sunflower diseases: description and types

Sunflower diseases: photos

As a rule, sunflowers are susceptible to various fungal diseases and infections, and the pathogen usually lives right in the ground. The most common of all quarantine diseases of sunflower is white rot, which very rapidly affects sunflower. If the plantation was infected, then this can lead to the destruction of almost 70% of the entire crop, therefore, they try to prevent infection at all by organizing a variety of preventive measures. Signs of white rot can be found in the second half of the summer period, but the development of the fungus itself continues until autumn, so if the gardener thinks that after processing he got rid of the fungus, you should still pay more attention to the signs and try to trace them if they reappear :

• seedlings begin to rot almost immediately after emergence;
• the root collar of young plants in most cases is affected, which leads to the fact that in the early stages the plant may stop developing and die;
• on the plant, you can find multiple weeping specks of brown color, which are gradually covered with a light bloom;
• white spots very quickly ring the stem, damage to deep tissues occurs, and at the same time the plant is almost impossible to save;
• as a rule, the plaque is also formed on the seeds. Therefore, after they fall into the ground, it becomes infected with a white rot fungus and becomes its source.

Practice shows that it is possible to get rid of this disease and cope with it only at the earliest stages of its occurrence, and for this the plant is sprayed with copper-containing preparations. For example, it is best to use the well-known Bordeaux liquid, as well as a solution of copper sulfate (in the agricultural field, this is usually a 1% solution).

Gray mold is another disease that is caused by a fungus. Most often, the plant is affected during warm periods, but also with frequent precipitation. Outwardly, the signs are very similar to those that were listed by us when describing white rot. The main difference from it is the area affected by this fungus. Brown spots may first appear on the leaves, then spread to the surface of the stems, and then spread over the basket. Thus, almost the entire plant is affected. The spots grow, change their shade to a rich brown, immediately catches the eye of the gardener. In general, the entire bush weakens, loses its vital energy, and then completely slowly but surely comes to its own death. If the grower does not start treatment on time, then there is a high probability that he will lose about 60-65% of the total crop. As in the fight against white rot, it is also effective to use special chemical complexes and preparations that contain copper against gray rot.

The next sunflower disease that will be discussed in this article is phomopsis.In other words, this disease is also called gray spot of the stem. It is typical just for sunflowers, although practice shows that it can be found in other crops, but much less often. The peak of gray spot infestation usually occurs in June - mid-July. Signs are mainly found on the lowest leaves - brown specks with a white border are formed there. Gradually, sunflower diseases spread to the upper part of the bush, and can also affect the stem. As the spots develop, they can completely affect the entire plant, deforming the stem: its color becomes closer to silver. If the fungus infects the basket, then the grains in it will certainly rot. This leads, accordingly, to the loss of the crop. In addition, the share of products is also decreasing.

As a rule, gray spot refers to diseases that are very difficult to treat. It is best to use copper-containing fungicides, and also use a drug such as Fundazol. But their effectiveness is observed only in the early stages of detection of the disease, the rest of the time the application will not bring any results, and the plant will die along with the harvest.

Sunflower verticillary wilt is another dangerous fungal disease that occurs mainly during the formation and maturation of seed baskets. The fungus spreads through residues in the soil, since the mycelium takes root very well in the soil. The disease can be identified by key symptoms:

• leaves gradually turn pale, lose their attractive appearance, cease to be elastic;
• almost every part of the bush is affected by necrotic spots, which have a brown tint, gradually edging with yellow stripes;
• the mycelium mainly affects the roots of the plant, while disrupting its vascular system. As a result, the plant cannot normally be fed with useful substances, withers, ceases to be capable of life due to lack of strength for this;
• the seeds also begin to rot and gradually fall off.

These sunflower diseases can affect the plant very quickly, usually the entire bush. Treatment can give some results only at the very early stages of detecting the disease and taking measures to resolve the situation. In order to combat wilting, it is necessary to treat the plant with contact fungicides of a wide spectrum of action. Processing can be done in two stages, between them there should be a break of 12-14 days, so that there is no cumulative effect of the drug.

Broomstick is a typical sunflower disease that affects sunflower crops. It occurs quite often. Professional and experienced gardeners emphasize that the degree of damage directly depends on how well the soil, seed was treated, and also how the gardener himself looked after his plantings. The broomstick is a parasitic plant that does not have a root system. It is formed just from the root system of the sunflower itself, especially abundantly during the flowering period. Outwardly, this is an ordinary filamentous process, which then thickens, forms its own inflorescence.

Broomrape spreads by seed, can very quickly infect large areas, and getting rid of it is very problematic. In addition, in order to develop, a broomrape requires a lot of strength, and it draws it from the nutrients and water that are contained in the root system of the sunflower. It is all this that leads to the fact that the sunflower begins to grow very slowly, the level and abundance of the harvest decreases.

In addition, there are some sunflower diseases that have an extremely negative effect on the condition of the sunflower and its yield.For example, powdery mildew or downy mildew, bacterial rot that affects stems and baskets; dry rot, which is very common on baskets; rust that can be found on the leaves. Of course, the preservation of the plant and the harvest directly depends on the gardener, as well as on how quickly he detects diseases, carries out all preventive and antibacterial treatments and measures. You should also pay close attention to the choice of varieties - it is better to dwell on resistant sunflower varieties that are not so susceptible to the effects of fungal spreads.

Sunflower pests: description and types

Sunflower diseases: photos

Of course, diseases are almost the main reason why sunflowers die, do not yield, or produce very meager and negligible yields. However, the danger also comes from harmful insects, which can also wreak havoc on sunflower plantings.

Sunflower pests can appear at absolutely any stage of plant growth and development, most often infection occurs due to the fact that the gardener neglected the pre-sowing treatment of the soil and the seeds themselves, and they became an excellent platform for the development of various pests and insects. Gardeners use folk methods to fight, and various chemical mixtures and preparations. On more extensive plantings of sunflower, it is recommended to use only specially made insecticides, which really help the plants, strengthen them and lead to the death of pests.

Sunflower moth Is a very common pest. It is a small butterfly that can be found in various regions. Moths reproduce very quickly - in one summer alone, about three generations can develop, but the moth survives the winter period in the ground in the form of larvae. As soon as warming occurs, the insect lays eggs in the flowers of the sunflower, and the caterpillars feed on the substances contained in the buds and baskets. Gradually, they gnaw out the entire basket, and this leads to the inevitable loss of the entire crop.

Sunflower thornbearer - This pest is most often found in the southern parts of Russia, as well as in the Caucasus, since the hot climate is suitable for the pest and for its reproduction. Outwardly, it looks like a small bug. In general, it is the beetle that does not pose any danger to the sunflower, which cannot be said about its larvae. They are colored yellow, and their head is colored red. The spiker is activated mainly at the very beginning of summer, when the beetles lay larvae, which need to develop and feed. And they replenish their nutrition just due to the nutrients that are contained in the stem and basket of sunflower. They begin to actively gnaw the pulp, the plant weakens very quickly, which leads to its deteriorating appearance, and then to the death of the entire sunflower.

Sunflower barbel - this pest can be found exclusively in the southern parts of Russia. This is a small bug that gives out white larvae. One generation of sunflower barbel can develop in one and a half to two years. In winter, the larvae are localized in the ground, and with the onset of warm days, they get out to the surface. Eggs are laid right inside the stem, and the larvae gradually gnaw out all the pulp with nutrients, in order to then make their way to the most important thing - to the root system. This leads to the fact that the plant grows and develops more slowly, and the sunflower slowly dies.

Sunflower protection from diseases and pests

Sunflower diseases: photos

Of course, we talked about diseases and pests, but we should also say about some preventive measures, because they can help in saving a huge part of the crop.Diseases and pests can actually cause irreparable damage to sunflower crops. In most cases, infections can be avoided, but for this, the gardener must follow all the rules of agricultural technology and cultivation, as well as know the most complete information on how to care for sunflower, and what are the simplest preventive measures.

Among the most useful recommendations I would like to highlight the following:

• observe crop rotation, do not plant sunflowers in the same areas for four years;
• to process the planting material before planting it in open ground.

It is best to pickle seeds using insecticides and fungicides for this, which are completely safe for human health and life, but can easily destroy fungi, dangerous diseases, scare off pests and insects;

• it is important to plow the soil deeply with a plow at least a quarter of a meter before planting materials;
• it is best to choose those varieties that are highly resistant to diseases and are immune to the most typical infections that are common among sunflowers.

Of course, in order to reduce crop loss, as well as try to avoid late pest infestation, when nothing can be done, the gardener is advised to remove the grains and baskets in a timely manner as they ripen so that they do not become prey for pests. It is best to store sunflower in a dry and dark place in order to avoid waterlogging, mold and other fungal infections that lead to crop infection, and in the future to its destruction.

As we noted earlier, all these measures depend on the gardener himself, on his desire and desire to preserve the harvest. Professional skills and knowledge are also important, because the success and size of the harvest depends solely on them.