There are brown spots on the leaves of the apple tree
Content:
If suddenly you notice brown spots on the apple tree, then most likely we are talking here about some kind of disease. Further in the article there is information about what kind of ailment we are talking about and how to cope with it.
Brown spots appear on the apple tree for various reasons - it can be like an attack of pests, poor growth conditions, as well as various fungal diseases. Depending on what is causing the disease, different treatment strategies and remedies will be required. Further, you can find out some effective tips for each situation separately, because if you take decisive measures in a timely manner, then there is a high probability that you will be able to save the tree from drying out.
Lack of nutrients
The apple tree should be fertilized regularly and according to a pre-prepared schedule. If nutrients and fertilizers are insufficient, then brown spots on the leaves can be seen. At the beginning of spring, it is necessary to apply nitrogen-containing fertilizers; in autumn, the apple tree is fed with fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium.
It is necessary to follow the instructions for use, since an excessive amount of nitrogen is fraught with a lack of copper in the subsequent. And the deficiency of this element adversely affects the development and fruiting of the apple tree.
In case of copper deficiency, it is necessary to process the tree from a spray bottle with a solution of copper sulfate, or use other complexes containing copper. It is recommended to pre-dilute the dry powder in water and pour the soil around the trunk with the resulting solution.
Since copper sulfate is a chemical and contains harmful substances, precautions should be taken when processing the tree, otherwise you can harm yourself or insects, in particular bees, which are involved in pollination of the apple tree and directly affect the number of fruits. To achieve the effect, the treatment must be carried out at a temperature not higher than 25 degrees.
Unfavorable weather conditions
Unsuitable climate, bad weather also have a direct impact on the growth and development of the tree and on its fruiting. If the weather turns bad and the frost continues for a long time, brown spots may also appear on the leaves.
However, this is not something to worry about as new foliage will grow in this case. Affected wood has a much greater negative effect on the growth and development of the apple tree. Here, the tree will need more time to move away from the dormant period in the spring. After that, the apple tree feels bad for about three more years. If you make several cuts on the weakest branches, then they will be dark in color, which means that this area is frozen. It is no longer possible to restore frost-affected wood. However, the tree can still grow up to 8 years old and still bear fruit. This time is enough to plant a new apple tree seedling. In order for the affected tree to bear fruit as long as possible, it is necessary to provide it with careful care, regularly perform sanitary pruning, feed and water the tree.
Scab
If a tree is infected with fungal diseases such as scab, dark spots may also be seen on the leaves. In addition to the leaves, this fungus has a detrimental effect on the inflorescences and fruits of the apple tree.
A symptom of the disease is a change in the color of the leaves with their further drying and premature fall.
Usually this disease is typical for plants in June. The fungus very quickly spreads throughout the tree, first affecting the leaves, then moving on to the remaining branches and ovaries. Excessive moisture can cause this fungal disease. This is abundant rainfall, pronounced dew in the morning, as well as excessive watering.
Damage by colonies of fungi
If rusty spots appear on the leaves of an apple tree, the onset of a fungal disease can be suspected. The infection spreads throughout the site very quickly, as spores can be carried by the wind from one tree to another. Spores are dark growths that grow in size over time.
Mineral deficiencies and copperhead
Copperhead is an insect that harms the tree in the same way as its larvae. Feeding on the sap of fresh leaves of a tree, insects cause irreparable harm, since flowers and ovaries die and dry out. The leaves become much smaller, and therefore the tree loses its general immunity.
The sucker larvae spread, forming a sticky ball-shaped substance in the flowers, which adheres to the surface of the leaves and the upper part of the shoot, and also spreads inside the buds.
Since this substance is sweet, black develops here, due to which all parts of the tree become covered with dark spots. This pest lays a very large number of larvae during the summer season.
In order to protect the apple tree from sucker, in early spring, before the period when sap flow begins, it is necessary to process the tree with hot water, the temperature of which should be at least 60 degrees.
If a pest attacked a tree at the budding stage, then here you can use the ready-made Inta-Vir preparation, diluting it in dosage: one tablet per bucket of water.
Folk remedies are very effective against this insect. These are infusion of garlic, infusion of onion husks, tobacco and ash mixtures, and many other means.
Apple tree treatment algorithm
In general, with any defeat of this culture, you must adhere to the following rules.
Insecticides work well against insect pests. These drugs are freely available on sale in specialized stores, the number of which is very diverse. If the tree changes color due to the lack of any elements, then it is necessary to feed it regularly. If the cause of dark spots is a disease, fungicides will come to the rescue, which are also found in large quantities in hardware stores, and folk remedies are also effective.
Feeding
Often, a change in the shape of the leaves of an apple tree and the appearance of brown spots indicate a deficiency of any minerals. With an insufficient amount of calcium, the foliage loses its color, it can become twisted, and then fall off.
Here it is necessary to feed the apple tree with fertilizers, which contain calcium sulphate in their basis. If the soil is acidic, then it is necessary to neutralize its PH level.
With a deficiency of such an element as boron, the color of the foliage turns yellow or the leaves curl, becoming covered with brown spots. In order to increase the amount of boron, apple trees must be fed with a solution of boric acid, which is diluted in a proportion of 15 g per bucket of water.
Similar signs on the tree appear with a magnesium deficiency. The preparation of potassium magnesium will come to the rescue. Dolomite flour is also effective, which is diluted at the rate of 30 grams per square meter. In addition, magnesium sulfate will help.
When the tree does not have enough phosphorus, then the apple tree does not dissolve leaves for a long time, new branches do not grow in it. If you do not take any measures, then the regrown leaves will have a yellow color and may become twisted, flowers and ovaries may fall off prematurely.
In order to make up for the lack of phosphorus, the tree is treated with a weak superphosphate solution of no more than 3%.
If you follow these recommendations, then the apple tree will be cured in a month and a half.
Fungus treatment
Fungicides help to effectively fight fungal diseases. Fitosporin, Topaz and Topsin have proven themselves well against powdery mildew.
When the disease is already in its late stages, then drugs based on penconazole are used.
Products containing copper are also very popular.
They are used to treat an apple tree in clear, cool weather to avoid damage to the leaves. burns.
Below are the most popular remedies.
Blue Bordeaux. These are special granules that dissolve well in water and are suitable for use in bad weather conditions.
This tool actively fights against fungal spores and colonies.
Abiga Peak. The drug is based on copper. They need to process directly those areas that are affected by the disease and only during the absence of rainfall. The drug is prepared at the rate of 50 g per bucket of water.
Cuproxat. This product is made on the basis of nitrogen and copper acetate. A very effective solution, which is brought to a concentration of 0.25 percent, perfectly destroys any fungal diseases. The solution is used for root treatment, and the agent also actively fights rust and nourishes the earth with important elements.
Champion. This tool is used not only for the treatment of diseases, but also for the prevention of their occurrence. Thus, the drug prevents disease from spreading to the rest of the tree, creating a kind of film. Spores of fungi cannot live in the created conditions of existence, therefore reproduction stops. A solution is prepared at the rate of 60 g of funds per bucket of water. For best results, do not use the product in hot weather.
Fertilizers
To eliminate the deficiency of the missing substances in the apple tree, various fertilizers are used. Below are the popular preparations containing sulfur.
These products are often used when brown spots appear on the surface of the leaves.
Colloidal sulfur. The powder is diluted in a proportion of 40 g per 5 liters of water. The only limitation for this fertilizer is the flowering period.
Cumulus. Also mainly composed of sulfur, it mixes well, thereby preventing the formation of dust.
When choosing any product, you must look at the production date.
The use of natural preparations
Every gardener strives to use as little chemistry as possible on his site, so natural remedies are chosen. These agents can be used to treat both young seedlings and mature trees in order to make them healthier and more immune to various common diseases.
Trichodermin. This product is sold in powder form. Dissolve 50 g of the drug in one liter of water. During further processing, the concentrate is diluted in another 5 liters of water.
Planriz.
The basis of this tool is rhizosphere bacteria. It is they who block the reproduction and spread of the decay process. And besides this, they form a protective microflora. The product is diluted at the rate of 100 ml per bucket of water.
Phytodoctor. This powder is suitable for the treatment of the root system. Actively prevents the growth of fungal diseases in the roots. The drug is prepared according to the instructions attached to the package.
The effect of plant damage on yield
If you do not find out in time why brown spots were formed on the leaves and do not take measures to eliminate them, then in the future the brown spots will grow, which will lead to premature leaf fall and a decrease in the amount of harvest. In addition to the quantity, the quality of the fruit also suffers, the taste becomes less intense, since all metabolic processes inside the tree are disrupted.
In order to avoid the occurrence diseases or pest attacks on the apple tree, you should choose a planting site that will be far from conifers.And also the distance between trees when planting should be at least 3 m.
In addition, at the beginning of spring, all visible diseased areas of the tree should be cleaned, leaving only healthy wood tissue.
In addition, in order to prevent the occurrence of diseases, prepared apple seedlings should be treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
Conclusion
There can be many reasons for the appearance of dark spots on an apple tree. And the lack of nutrients, and the occurrence of diseases, and poor tree care, and much more. Having found out what led to the appearance of these symptoms, one or another measure should be taken to treat the plant. At this time, there are a large number of drugs and folk recipes that will help you cope with the problem.