Scab on an apple tree - how to treat and how to fight

Gardeners are often faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as scab on an apple tree. The disease is treatable if the recommendations are followed accurately, and annual preventive work prevents its occurrence.

What is apple scab: signs and stages of the disease

Apple scab

Fungal infection (in Latin Venturia inaequalis) affects young foliage, affects fruiting. The disease spreads slowly and imperceptibly, therefore it is not immediately noticed by the owner of the apple orchard. The primary signs are recorded at the end of flowering: yellowish-greenish spots are formed on the foliage, a grayish bloom is visible on some. Gradually, they turn black, capture most of the leaf plate and migrate to fruits.

Severe damage occurs on summer days at the ovary stage. It prevents apples from ripening: they deform, look like shriveled lumps. The appearance of pathology during ripening changes the appearance of apple fruits, which are covered with specks and cracks. The product is only suitable for processing.

Important! The rapidly yellowing foliage falls off, becomes a wintering place for the fungus, and in the spring it again moves to a tree and scatters around the garden.

Disease cycle

Why does scab appear on apple trees

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The description indicates that pathology occurs:

with frequent planting of fruit trees and planting of the same variety;
neglect of the personal plot - in the absence of autumn harvesting of fallen leaves;
non-compliance with the norms of sanitary pruning.

Scab on apple leaves develops in warm and humid weather. The optimal environment for the fungus is considered to be a temperature of 18-20 degrees with rain and fog.

Preventive measures to protect the garden from scab

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The prevention of the development of pathology includes several rules: from cleaning the territory to the correct planting of seedlings.

Autumn harvesting of litter

With the onset of the autumn months, the owner needs to get rid of fallen leaves, broken and dried branches, rotten apples. They are sent to a compost pit for 2-3 years or removed from the site.

Cleaning of fallen leaves

Whitewashing apple trees

Before whitening, it is necessary to remove the exfoliated bark. After stripping, the bare spots are coated with copper sulfate (1 tbsp of substance per 1 liter of water), and in late autumn, the trunk and skeletal branches are whitewashed.

Fertilizer Care

The fertilizer application schedule is scheduled by the manufacturer. A double portion of nitrogen fertilization is introduced into acidic soils - its high content prevents the development of the disease.

Preventive treatment

Before the buds open, the tree and the ground around it must be treated with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid.In its absence, biologics with a similar effect can be used.

Important! Increase of immunity and additional protection of culture is carried out by "Epin", "Ecoberin", "Zircon", "Healthy Garden", etc.

The optimal distance of trees from each other

When landing, use the scheme:

high and medium apple trees - every 4 m;
undersized - after 3 m.

Important! A rare planting prevents the increased humidity of the crown, reducing the risk of developing pathology.

Distance between apple trees

Scab resistant apple varieties

The constant scab that occurs on apples requires planting of certain varieties. Species resistant to pathology are presented:

Vasilisa;
An asterisk;
Margot;
Medunitsa;
Orlinka;
Delight;
Juno.

Important! Experts advise beginners in horticulture to start by planting a Star and a Medunitsa.

Step-by-step instructions for spring scab control activities

There are many methods of treating pathology, gardeners can choose the most suitable option. Fungicides, folk methods and concentrated fertilizers are used against the fungus.

How to treat scab with fertilizers

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The therapy uses:

10% ammonium nitrate;
5% potassium chloride;
10% ammonium sulfate;
5% potassium sulfate;
7% potassium salt;
7% potassium nitrate.

Important! The method is controversial: huge doses of mineral fertilizers have a negative effect on the soil and its inhabitants. It is not worth using these treatments often.

Scab control chemicals

How to treat scab on an apple tree: fungicidal solutions ("Hom", etc.). To reduce the risk of addiction of the pathogen, drugs must be alternated.

Copper and iron vitriol

The destruction of scab spores is carried out:

in spring - 2-5 liters of copper sulfate (at an air temperature of 5-10 degrees);
in the fall - 5% iron vitriol (after the foliage has fallen off).

Important! Bare branches are treated with substances, their contact with the green part can provoke burns.

Copper sulfate

Bordeaux mixture

The concentration of the solution depends on the time:

before bud break - 3%;
when forming buds - 1%.

Important! The procedure with a 1% solution is carried out with an interval of two weeks, until the apples appear.

Horus

The action of the active substance cyprodinil lasts up to 28 days. The therapy is carried out twice: when the buds are in the "green cone" stage and 10 days after flowering.

"Strobe"

The active effect of the substance lasts 35 days, therapy is carried out three times, with an interval of 2 weeks. The drug can be combined with other fungicides.

"Skor" (analogues - "Guardian" and "Paradise")

During the season, two procedures take place, before and after budding, with an interval of 2 weeks. One tree needs up to 5 liters of solution, each ampoule is diluted with 10 liters of liquid. The speed is valid no more than 20 days.

The drug "Skor"

Biological products against scab

Biological agents are considered less toxic and more effective than homemade infusions.

"Baktofit"

The concentrated medication allows you to fight the massive spread of fungal infection. The procedures are carried out every 8 days, 4-7 times a season. The action lasts from 7 to 20 days.

"Fitolavin"

Refers to antibiotics with a systemic and contact spectrum of action, each culture requires 5 liters of solution (20 ml per 10 liters of liquid). When processing, they maintain an interval of 15 days, during the season they need to spray the garden 4 times.

Fungicide "Fitolavin"

Fitosporin-M and Zircon

A mixture of 1 ml of "Zircon" and 5 g of "Fitosporin-M" diluted in 10 liters of water is used to fight the fungus and increase the level of immunity. The drugs are considered safe and can be used all season. The procedures take place with an interval of 14 days.

Important! For better interaction with the foliage, a little liquid soap is added to the solution.

"Gamair"

The therapy is carried out three times during the growing season:

during the formation of buds;
after flowering;
with the development of apples to the size of a hazelnut.

Each culture consumes up to 5 liters of solution, it is prepared from a bucket of water and 10 tablets of medicine.

"Agat-25K"

The tool is used three times during the growing season, for 6 liters of liquid you need 1.2 g of the substance. Each plant will need 2-6 liters of solution - as the tree grows.

"Agat-25K"

How to defeat apple scab with folk remedies

Home remedies help at the initial stage of the spread of the infection, with a massive spread, they are pointless.

Salt. A saline solution is prepared from 1 liter of liquid and 100 g of table salt. After complete dissolution, the mixture is treated with the infected areas.
Mustard. Dissolve 8 g of mustard powder in a liter of water. The mixture is used for spraying, four times application is allowed during the entire growing season.
Potassium permanganate. A solution of potassium permanganate in a bright purple hue will help fight scab. The prepared medication is sprayed all over the apple tree.
Infusion of horsetail. Finely chopped greens are poured with water (1 to 3), tightly closed and insisted for three days. After filtration with the ready-made substance, you need to spray the green part and the trunk.

Infusion of horsetail

How to fight in July

In the middle of summer, preference is given to biological products; aggressive chemicals should not be used. Otherwise, the apples will not be usable. Attempts to get rid of the fungal infection are completed 25 days before the intended harvest date (August-September).

Step-by-step instructions for autumn scab control activities

In autumn, the following algorithm of actions is performed:

plants are treated with chemicals;
the territory is cleared of fallen leaves and rotten apples;
the damaged branches are excised.

Important! This approach allows you to destroy the spores of the fungus and prevent its activity in the next growing season.

Scheme of processing apple trees from scab

The gardener should remember that pathogenic microorganisms quickly adapt to any drugs, so several drugs must be used for therapy. You can alternate between biological and chemical substances, in between performing procedures with mineral fertilizers.

Complex treatment includes:

Primary autumn processing - at the end of leaf fall, at above-zero air temperature (up to 4 degrees). The garden and the territory are sprayed with a concentrated urea solution. This approach will reduce the number of spores of fungal infection.
Secondary - carried out before bud break, using a 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate. The same substance is used to treat the periosteal circle - the reception will relieve the surviving spores of the fungus.

The control procedure is assigned at the end of flowering. The use of one of the systemic medicines will help stop pathogens that have penetrated the foliage - "Skor" or any other.

Spraying the apple tree

Experienced gardening tips

The disease can be cured, but it is better to prevent infection with the fungus in advance than to fight it later. To avoid pathology, it is enough to correctly perform:

watering;
processing in June, July;
fertilization;
landing;
pruning.

General rules for growing and caring for apple or pear trees will help reduce the risk of infection. Regular inspection of the orchard will help to catch the disease in the early stages of development and timely conduct therapy.