Spots On The Leaves - Ascochitis. Fungal Disease. Control Methods. Photo

The dangerous disease ascochitis, caused by mushrooms, can affect pumpkin, melons, watermelons, peas, beans, beets, cucumbers, currants, gooseberries, and some other crops.

Description of ascochitis

Ascochitis is manifested by the appearance of convex spots of various shapes and colors (usually brown) with dark edging. The spots are covered with small brown dots - the so-called pycnidia. They appear on all aerial parts of the plant - stems, leaves, fruits and seeds. On the stems, the disease manifests itself in the form of small, punctate or elongated ulcers.

The most common symptoms are at the base of the stem and at the branches. The affected tissues dry out quickly, which can lead to the death of the plant. Seeds from diseased plants are puny, lightweight, with yellow or brown spots.

More often than other plants, ascochitis affects the stems and beans of peas, chickpeas, lentils, beans. Peas and chickpeas are especially dangerous. On the beans, the spots are dark brown, convex. If the pod valves are damaged, seeds are not formed.

The source of infection is seeds affected by ascochitosis and the remains of the previous harvest.

Prevention of disease and control of ascochitis

Damp warm weather contributes to the spread of ascochitis. Plants are infected at temperatures above 4 ° C and humidity above 90%. A strong development of ascochitis is observed with heavy rainfall and at a temperature of 20-25 ° C. With the alternation of wet and dry weather, the development of the disease slows down, and at temperatures above 35 degrees, it stops.

To prevent fungal damage, only healthy seeds must be planted, crop rotation must be observed (the return of leguminous crops to their original place in 3-4 years), the remains of the crop must be destroyed, and the plantings must not be thickened.

It is important to rake and burn fallen leaves, since the fungus can survive on plant debris for up to 2 years. Placing legumes over non-infective crops, such as cereals, is a good prevention. Autumn plowing is recommended in autumn.

It is recommended to dust the affected plant parts with a mixture of copper sulfate and chalk, also crushed coal, spraying crops with fungicides during the growing season.

In case of severe damage, diseased plants are recommended to be removed and burned.