Rusty spots on the leaves of an apple tree: how to treat

The apple tree is one of the most beloved trees for most gardeners, because it is so nice to taste the fruits grown with their own hands in the height of summer. However, the plant, like any other, is susceptible to a number of diseases that provoke adverse factors. One of these is rusty spots on the leaves of the apple tree, which not only spoil the appearance, but also harm the tree.

The first signs of the disease

The first symptoms of the disease can be detected in the summer, when the foliage of the plants begins to develop abundantly. On the upper plate of the leaf, rounded, convex spots are formed that have an orange or brown color. Instead of stains, the leaves can be covered with rust-colored stripes.

Timely measures will eliminate rust on the leaves

The speck itself has black blotches, which are scientifically called spermogonia. Etsidia - clusters of spores are located under these spots. They look like conical outgrowths. As the etsidia unfold, a mass of small spores are thrown out.

The lower part of the leaf is affected by yellow formations. If the lesion is large, then the foliage first dries up and then falls off. After infection of the leaves, the disease continues to move on, spreading also along the shoots and fruits.

Why is this phenomenon dangerous?

In trees suffering from the resulting rust, photosynthesis and metabolism are disrupted. In addition, the water balance is destroyed, as spores attract excess moisture. This is what explains the falling off of diseased leaves with a brown color, apples and shoots.

Due to the lack of nutrients, the yield also suffers - its quantity decreases and the quality deteriorates.

An additional blow is inflicted on young shoots, which subsequently will no longer be able to produce an apple crop. Excessive damage contributes to the death of young trees. That is why, as soon as the gardener detects the onset of the disease, it is necessary to take all measures to cure it, otherwise there is a risk of being left without fruit trees in the garden.

If you do not start the apple tree treatment procedure on time, then in the future you can be left without a crop.

Reasons for the development and regions of distribution of apple rust

Rust on apple leaves can appear most often due to the following factors:

• location next to the juniper apple tree;
• warm and humid early spring;
• warm wind in late spring.

As a rule, not only the leaf suffers, but also shoots and fruits. Basically, this disease covers trees that grow on the territory of the Crimea.

It should be noted that earlier the disease in Russia was observed in a limited number, namely in the southern and coastal regions of the country. But, the disease gradually penetrates into the Middle Lane, where juniper is used as an element of landscape design, which makes the apple tree rusty.The thing is that rust originates for the first time on a juniper and only from it already spreads to fruit trees.

The main reason for the formation of rust on the foliage of the apple tree is the neighborhood with the juniper

Preventive and curative treatments

To combat the fungus, a number of effective agents are used, which are presented in a wide range in agrotechnical stores. Such funds are conventionally divided into 4 large groups:

• Copper-containing.
• Sulfur based.
• Systemic fungicides.
• Biological preparations.

Gardeners who are looking for an answer to the question, if rust has appeared on an apple tree, how to treat it, it is worth studying the description for each group of processing agents and choosing the most suitable one.

Means for combating rust are presented in a large assortment, you just need to take into account the growing season

Chemical preparations against rust on the apple tree

Chemicals are selected taking into account the growing season. The most popular are the following drugs:

• "Copper sulfate". Used in the Green Cone Phase. The product is available in powder form, and in order to treat it against rust, 300 grams are diluted in 10 liters of water.
• Abiga Peak. It is used in the budding phase, for preparation it is diluted at the rate of 50 grams per 10 liters of water.
• Horus. It is also used in the budding phase. This drug protects not only from rust, but also from scab. For preparation, 2 grams of the product are diluted in 10 liters of water.
• "Speed". It is used in the fruit pouring phase. A feature of the composition is that it is not washed off with water. For dilution in 10 liters of water, add 2 ml of the substance.
• "Raek". It is also used in the fruit filling phase. In 10 liters of water, 2 ml of the substance is diluted.

Copper preparations

One of the most famous ways to combat rust fungus on leaves is by spraying with Bordeaux liquid. Processing begins when the air temperature outside begins to increase.

The most famous drugs that have earned recognition among gardeners are:

• Blue Bordeaux. This drug is available in the form of capsules, which greatly facilitates the process of use. They dissolve quickly in water without breaking down into small particles. You can use the product even in bad weather. "Blue-Bordeaux" not only leaves no trace of a colony of pathogens, but also eliminates spores.
• Abiga Peak. The main substance is copper. The agent is a contact antifungal agent. Apply it superficially, diluting 50 grams of the composition in a bucket of water. "Abiga-Peak" gets not only inside the bark, but also affects the upper layers. It is allowed to use only in dry weather.
• "Cuproxat". The composition is based on nitrogen and copper acetate. At a concentration of 0.25%, all rust fungus spores die. It is also allowed to use for root watering.
• "Champion". It is used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of rust formation. Getting on the leaves, a special layer is formed that protects against infection and spread of the disease throughout the tree. A feature is that the composition fights against the fungus, but it is beyond his power to get rid of it completely. The agent in the amount of 60 grams is diluted in a bucket of water, but it is forbidden to choose hot weather for watering.

Copper-based compounds have established themselves as one of the best

Sulfur based product

Experienced gardeners recommend the use of a colloidal sulfur solution as a remedy for rust control, which can have any shade, even red. For preparation, 40 grams of sulfur powder is diluted for 5 liters of liquid. Forbidden to use when apple trees are in bloom.

As for the brands, the most worthy is Cumulus, which is based on sulfur. The mass is produced in a convenient form and is distinguished by excellent and fast solubility in liquid, while during use it does not form dust.

For processing, it is important to choose the right time and suitable weather conditions.

Application of fungicides

Fungicides are serious chemicals used to fight rust on apple leaves, especially when they begin to curl. It is with them that it is worth starting the fight against the disease. The following products show the best results:

• "Topaz". Available in liquid and powder form. For processing a plot of 10 sq. m. 2 liters of composition will be required. Processing can be carried out several times, but be sure to wait an interval of 2 weeks.
• Strobe. The main advantage of the drug is that it is allowed to use it even during flowering, in humid weather and at low air temperatures. Thanks to the tool, it will be possible to overcome many fungi, and especially rust.
• "Vectra". The composition is based on a substance called bromuconazole. It will take up to 2 liters to process a young apple tree, and 10-15 liters for an adult tree. It is strictly forbidden to mix the product with others; the tree can be sprayed with it no more than 3 times.

Tank mixes

To prepare folk tank mixtures, you will need to mix the following compositions in 10 liters of water:

• Planriz - 50 ml;
• Ecoberin - 50 ml;
• Trichodermin - 100 ml;
• Gaupsin - 100 ml;
• Phytodoctor - 50 ml.

Leaves can rust in any season, therefore, upon revealing a disease, the resulting mixture is processed 2-3 times a month, starting from the moment the buds open and ending with the beginning of the harvest.

Biological preparations

Biological preparations improve the immunity of trees, making them resistant to fungal pathogens. The main advantage is that they have no harmful effects, therefore they are absolutely harmless to humans, plants, insects and animals.

The following have positively proven themselves:

• Planriz. Not only kills the fungus, but also induces strong growth of young shoots. To prepare for 10 liters of liquid, dilute with 50 ml of the product.
• "Trichodermin". It is one of the most common fungicides. For preparation, you will need to stir 100 ml of solution in 10 liters of water. Processing begins after bud break and continues throughout the season. Use during the flowering period is strictly prohibited. It is allowed to use 2 times a month.
• Fitosporin-M. The treatment is carried out during the entire growing season by mixing 15 ml of the substance in 10 liters of water.
• "Phytodoctor". For use, 30 grams of the substance are diluted in 10 liters of water and the apple trees are processed every 2 weeks during the growing season. The signal for the beginning of the procedure is the budding time, and the process ends before harvesting, namely when June and July come.

Every rust remover has been shown to be effective

Technology and processing time

Many gardeners are looking for an answer on what to do if there are rusty spots on the leaves on the apple tree. First of all, you need to calm down and start a comprehensive method of treating the disease. You can fight the disease in this way:

1. On the first day, when diseased shoots were formed, it is necessary to trim them 7 cm lower than the affected area. The near-trunk circle is cleared and the soil is treated with the help of copper sulfate in the form of a solution.
2. On the second day, the apple tree is sprayed with a fungicidal solution. Choose a drug based on the growing season. If a juniper grows on the site, it is treated in the same way.
3. On the fourth day, potassium monophosphate is used for foliar feeding. Potassium humate is chosen for watering.
4. On the seventh day, fruit trees and junipers are treated with the previously selected fungicide.
5. On the fourteenth day, apple trees are treated with ash liquor.
6. A month later, a new fungicidal agent is chosen to fight the fungus.
7. On the thirty-seventh day, the next fungicidal treatment is performed.
8. On the fortieth day, foliar feeding of apple trees is carried out with the help of potassium monophosphate.

Rust is a "fatal" disease for the apple tree, so every gardener is obliged to eliminate it.

After harvesting, sanitary pruning of apple trees is performed, shoots are eliminated from the stem or root suckers. It is imperative to whitewash the apple tree trunk. Further, the processing of the near-trunk circle is carried out with the help of "Fitolavin".

With the beginning of the new season, copper sulfate is used for spraying when the buds begin to bloom. Open juniper is treated in the same way. Before the flowering period, the apple tree is treated with a tank mixture.

Timely adoption of measures aimed at combating rusty spots on the leaves will extend the life of the tree and get a good harvest for many years.