Moniliosis of the apple tree and the fight against it

Apple moniliosis is a very dangerous disease, due to which you can lose about 80% of the entire crop if you start the disease and do not start fighting it in time. This is an infection caused by a fungus that quickly spreads through the plant. First, the stems and the leaf plate are affected, then the fungus is transferred to the fruits, the root system also rots, as a result of which the plant loses its normal appearance, becomes even more painful, weak. If you carry out a timely inspection of the plant, its crown, treat it for preventive purposes, then you can prevent the spread of infection throughout the site and, accordingly, protect your plantings and future harvest.

In this article, we will dwell in more detail on the description of a disease such as apple moniliosis, which spreads to apple crops. We will also analyze what exactly is the causative agent of the disease, how the fungus manifests itself, and how you can effectively fight it so that the plant does not die from this in the future, it continues its normal life and, accordingly, so that it can give an excellent harvest, tasty, large and useful. The article will be useful both for novice gardeners and for those gardeners who already have experience in growing apple crops and treating various diseases.

Apple moniliosis: causative agents of the disease

Of course, like any disease, apple moniliosis also has its own pathogen, which causes the development of the fungus. Spores of the fungus are widespread almost everywhere, while not only apple crops, but also other fruit trees - pears, stone fruits (cherries, cherries, apricots) can suffer from it. It should be noted that the causative agent of the disease, the Mali monilinium fungus, is a highly specialized fungus that usually infects only one species of fruit trees, and then continues to spread very actively among these crops. The life cycle of a fungus can consist of two, sometimes three stages. Much depends solely on how he took root, as well as on how the gardener fights with him in the future in order to save the culture from damage and premature death.

The disease of apple moniliosis can develop in very different ways, the symptoms of the disease may depend on the type of fungal spore, just like the course of the disease. Today, experienced gardeners can distinguish several forms of moniliosis:

- fruit rot

- monilial burn

Each form manifests itself in its own way, has different signs, forms, as well as different manifestations on fruit crops, in particular, on apple trees, if we are talking about them. Let's talk in more detail about both forms.

Let's start with a description of fruit rot - a tree, if it is infected with a fungus that provokes moniliosis, can manifest a fungus on itself in the form of rot. Basically, it is very clearly visible and quickly spreads on young seedlings, and is less common on older, mature plants. First, brown specks appear on the leaves, which very quickly become larger and larger. Then the entire surface of the leaf becomes brown, brown spots move to the branches. The pulp of the fruit becomes tasteless, more like a sponge in structure, loses its crispness. In addition, on the surface of the fruits themselves, pads of a grayish or yellowish hue, which are quite hard, can form.It may seem that this is completely normal, but in fact it is also a sign that the plant has been affected by a fungus, and that it is necessary to urgently take some measures in order to save the bush and tree, as well as to save the future harvest.

Apples that have been affected by the fungus change their appearance completely over time. They become mummified, they do not want to eat because of their appearance, and also because they completely lose their taste. Basically, apples can be affected by rot during the period of active watering, as well as when the weather is rather humid in summer. Even if it was possible to harvest the affected apple trees, they can deteriorate during storage or transportation over long distances. Thus, rot is a really dangerous manifestation of the fungus, which cannot be ignored, and which should definitely be taken under control to further resolve this problem.

Monilial burn - the very first signs of this burn can be seen in the spring. In May, leaves appear on apple trees, which stand out in red stripes. Then the infection very actively affects not only the deciduous part, but also the petioles, inflorescences and ovaries that form on the tree. To understand that a plant has been infected with fungi, it is necessary to examine it, and upon examination, the main signs of the disease are always noted. If the gardener noticed white conidial pads on the leaves, then this is the surest sign that the plant has been affected by a monilial burn. Gradually, the fruitful shoots begin to dry out from the infection, which negatively affects directly the yield - it practically stops. If the fruits have managed to form, then there is no burn on them, but serious problems with storage and transportation of fruits may arise - they cease to be as good as they were before.

There are also several life stages at which the fungus forms, develops, and infects cultures. For the fungus that causes moniliosis, there are two main stages - conidial and sclerocial. Also, sometimes the third stage can appear - marsupial, but, as a rule, it does not form as often as the first two, so gardeners generally do not really know about its main signs and manifestations.

The conidial stage of development of the fungus is that whole myceliums can form from conidia, which then spread throughout the plant. This can happen through the movement of raindrops, as well as due to strong gusts of wind, with insects. Often, the person himself becomes a carrier of the fungus - through the tools with which he treats the area, as well as along with the clothes that are worn on him while working on the site. From the fact that the infection can spread very quickly, the ovaries and fruits themselves usually suffer, and the apple tree can also suffer from fungus during periods that are too humid. For example, in excessively rainy weather, an apple tree can easily pick up this disease, as well as during a period when the gardener irrigates the area without measure, forgetting that this can largely harm the health and condition of the apple tree.

Sclerocial stage - this stage occurs at a time when no one touches the apple tree, does not process it, and in general it is at rest. The fungus is formed in the form of a mycelium, it can perfectly survive excessive frosts, while ideally it hibernates in untreated and unharvested apples, as well as in apples that have already crumbled, and at the same time the gardener did not take care of clearing the site. In addition, in a crack in the bark, the mycelium can also overwinter, and then wake up and, from the spring period, begin to infect plants with renewed vigor. In this case, the apple tree has no chance if the gardener does not notice the damage in time and does not take control measures.

The optimal conditions for the development of moniliosis and its stages are high humidity, as well as, in general, a fairly high activity of the fungus itself. Sporulation increases, the disease begins to progress even faster, due to which a very large part of the territory can be affected. At the same time, the air temperature can vary from 13 to 15 degrees, which is also an ideal condition for the disease to spread even faster in the future, and the plant has even less chance of surviving and giving a full harvest.

There are several main reasons why apple moniliasis spreads so actively on apple trees. Among the reasons it is worth highlighting such as:

- the appearance of insect pathogens, which carry spores on themselves or their limbs, and can also feed on the plant themselves, which then begins to hurt even more

- the presence of apples that are already infected with moniliosis and which may come into contact with fruits that are still healthy

- other diseases of apple crops, which over time can provoke moniliosis or other fungal infections

- the choice of a variety that is initially not particularly resistant to fungi, which cause the development of moniliosis

- the gardener does not give enough attention and care to the plants, which is why they become abandoned, and various diseases and fungi easily develop on them. It is also worth noting that if the apple tree has not been pruned for a long time, then fungi can develop in the thickened crown, which provoke the disease.

The infection can easily spread along with the wind and rain, as well as through insects or by the person himself - with clothes or untreated dirty tools with which he previously treated the area. Also, the apple moniliosis disease can progress even more due to the fact that unfavorable weather conditions are observed - winter and frosts have dragged on, there is no particular sunlight in the spring, but there is too much rainfall, such an environment is always favorable for the spread and development of diseases, so you should be careful treat this and try to protect the plant as much as possible. Also, the fungus can enter the premises where the harvest is then stored, and this happens together with the storage container, which is dirty and unprocessed, and fungi develop very abundantly in it.

Apple moniliosis: description and control of it

Of course, in order to understand how to deal with a disease, you need to know its exact description and the most striking characteristics. In this case, it will be easier to detect the fungus faster and take some steps to get rid of it faster. Initially, the disease begins to affect the trunk of the plant. The spores then spread very actively to the fruit, so the apples can show signs of moniliosis even after the grower has already harvested the entire crop from the site and is preparing to enjoy it. The infection is quite resistant to severe frosts, and it also spreads very actively when the trees begin to bloom, and the very first apple fruits begin to set on them. There are some of the most striking symptoms and the very first signs that indicate that the plant has been infected with moniliosis, and it needs help and treatment. Clear brown spots begin to appear on the apples, the crop is actively crumbling, fluffy pads appear on the fruits, which are far from the norm and the normal, usual manifestation on the fruits. The leaves can darken and curl very quickly, and the flowers turn brown, which also indicates that the plant has been infected, and that it needs additional processing or support.

Initially, the fungus moniliosis of the apple tree affects the crop, and if the gardener does not give the plant any treatments, in particular preventive ones, this can lead to the fact that not only the crop will die, but also the tree itself. Immunity is very weakened, there is no stress resistance at all, and the plant generally loses its ability to fight the disease, with its immediate pathogen. Of course, you need to understand what are the ways to protect the plant from moniliosis, and how to apply these methods in order to get the maximum result.

So, in the summer it is best to carry out preventive measures. Fungicide treatment is the very first step a gardener must take in the fight against pests and fungi. In general, you need to carefully look at the very first signs and symptoms of the fungus, because this is the only way to notice the disease in time and eliminate it. You can also remove apples that have already been infected, and this is clearly visible. Thanks to the introduction of root and foliar dressings, it is possible to enhance the plant's immunity in general, and keeping the trunk circle clean will, in principle, protect the plant from many other pests and diseases, not only from fungal spores. Of course, the question immediately arises of how to treat the plant if an infection suddenly occurs.

For example, you can use some mechanical methods to destroy plants or parts of it that have been affected by the fungus. From the fall, it is worth removing all the fruits that remain on it from the trees. They are best destroyed outside the garden to prevent spores from spreading to healthy crops. At the same time, the spores do not die if the apples are simply buried in the ground: there, on the contrary, they can multiply even faster, and in this case, by this action, the gardener will only make it worse. It is recommended to burn the harvested crop, since it will no longer give any taste, but the spores of the fungus preserved on it can perfectly spread to the plants and future fruits that have not yet survived.

Dry and infected shoots must be cut from the crown and burned. When a diseased branch is removed from the crown, it is also necessary to capture the extra ten centimeters, since the likelihood is high that this part, too, has already begun to gradually become infected, it simply did not show any true and open signs. After cutting, trunks appear on the apple tree. They must be covered with a layer of lime, to which a certain amount of fungicide is also added. This increases the protection of the plant even more, and reduces the likelihood of re-infection. In the summer, the gardener must very carefully examine the tree, its parts that have been affected by the fungus must be removed from the site and burned, since they can cause whole epidemics of the fungus to break out, which will then infect large parts of the plants.

Several generations of gardeners have tested the effect of certain chemicals, which are also capable of coping well with fungus. For example, it is worth using a solution of copper sulfate, since it contains all those substances that are best able to fight spores and the fungus itself, while the liquid is completely safe for humans and plants. Also, do not forget about preventive measures. To do this, it is worth using some popular insecticides - Aktara, Profi and Decis. They are used in accordance with the instructions for use, since only by observing all the prescriptions and dosages can an excellent result be achieved.

Biologics are another way to fight moniliosis with great results. In this case, it is worth paying attention to such a drug as Pentafag C, which is used mainly when there is too little time left before harvesting, but the symptoms of a fungus were found.For human health and the body, this drug is completely safe, the solution can be sprayed on trees and the fruits themselves a few days before they are harvested, the drug is perfectly washed off with ordinary running water, does not harm a person at all. It is also worth highlighting such safe drugs as Fitolavin, Alirin, Fitosporin M. they should be used in accordance with the instructions, then the drugs will be really completely safe, but at the same time they will show the most effective features in the fight against pests and fungal pathogens.

You can also use fungicides, among which there are preparations called Skora, Horus or Abiga-Peak. These fungicides include active substances in their composition that can not only suppress spores, but also destroy the fungus. In addition, after using this drug, you can not be afraid that the fungi will develop again, since their reproductive abilities are also completely excluded thanks to these drugs. The solutions can be used to treat those parts of the plant that are already affected by the fungus, and for prevention, the entire tree can be sprayed. Fungicides are also excellent for treating the soil with them, in which fungi can also actively develop and multiply. Fungicides are used throughout the season, and treatment can be carried out once every two weeks. This takes into account climatic conditions, air temperature, the region in which the apple tree grows, as well as the time of day. It is best to process in calm weather, or early in the morning or late in the evening. The plant can get burned when exposed to sunlight.

Folk remedies for combating moniliosis

If we talk directly about folk remedies, then there are no such methods in the fight against fungi. There are several ways that have been tested by time, but they are more suitable for dealing with pests that like to settle on apple trees. At the same time, they can be used exclusively for the implementation of preventive treatments, but they are not suitable for treatment and control. Basically, folk methods are great for dealing with pests such as moth and weevil.

Of course, you cannot immediately get rid of fruit rot or any other manifestations of moniliosis with one or two treatments. One way or another, disputes will spread throughout the season, somewhere they will manifest themselves more strongly, somewhere less and less often. Symptoms can appear at absolutely any time, since spores take root well even in frost, and they also take root on fruits that have already been harvested from the site, so that the crop can begin to hurt even during storage. Any spraying and processing of the site must be carried out immediately, as soon as the very first signs were noticed that something is wrong with the plant, that it is sick or suffers from a lack of immunity. Prevention in general should be carried out regularly, together with regular examinations of the plant for the appearance of any diseases. It is also worth noting that today breeders have not yet bred such a variety that will be absolutely resistant to diseases, so it is best to be very attentive to care measures, as well as to some varieties. Most often, apple trees of the summer ripening period, that is, relatively early varieties, are attacked from the spores of the fungus.

Resistant varieties to this type of disease

Such varieties as Parmen winter gold, Anniversary, Pepin saffron, Welsey and Slavyanka. But they also need preventive treatments and examinations in order to completely eliminate the risk of infection; one way or another, if the gardener chooses these varieties, he has an increased opportunity to protect his garden from fruit rot and from the development of fungal spores that apple trees can choose. Thus, in general, today apple moniliosis remains a very dangerous disease that can affect a wide variety of apple crops. Breeders strive to develop new varieties that will be less susceptible to such negative influences, while still producing excellent yields.Much, of course, depends on the gardener himself, who can inspect the plants, determine in time that they are infected, and give them appropriate treatments and measures to reduce the risks of further development of fungal diseases and infections, their spread throughout the backyard. When leaving, it is important to remember your own vigilance, and only in tandem will it be possible to create an excellent and tasty harvest.