Autumn soil disinfection crucial for preventing black rot in gardens explained
Black rot, a soil-borne disease that affects carrot crops, is a common challenge for farmers. This disease causes tissue destruction, dark spots, and complete rotting of roots and aboveground parts, often resulting in plant death or significant yield reduction.
Young seedlings are particularly vulnerable to black rot, which often results in blackleg. The disease becomes active in high humidity, warmth, and when plants are damaged.
One effective method against black rot is treating the soil with lime. The dosage should be followed and it should be left in the soil over the winter. Lime kills bacteria, fungi, and insect larvae in the soil, making it a valuable tool in the fight against black rot. It's important to note that lime has the added benefit of enriching the soil with micronutrients.
Another effective treatment is copper sulfate, applied as a soil drench. Copper sulfate has fungicidal properties and, like lime, enriches the soil with micronutrients. Repeated treatments may be necessary due to the limited effectiveness of biological preparations like 'Phytosporin', which contain beneficial bacteria that suppress pathogens but have a short lifespan.
After harvesting, it's necessary to clean the area of plant residues. Treating the soil after cleaning is crucial to prevent black rot in the next season. Digging and deeply loosening the earth brings fungal spores to the surface, where they die under the influence of sunlight and frost.
It's worth noting that previously, a method for getting rid of powdery mildew that appears on carrot tops in the fall was discussed.
When it comes to eradicating black rot in soil, the most commonly used plant protection agents are not specifically detailed in the search results. Typically, herbicides or soil fumigants targeting soil-borne pathogens or weeds might be applied, but the exact agents and recommended application durations depend on the type of pathogen or weed and soil conditions. No specific fungicides or herbicides for black rot or its eradication time frame are mentioned in the provided sources.
In conclusion, by following these practices - treating the soil with lime or copper sulfate, cleaning the area after harvest, and digging and loosening the soil - farmers can significantly reduce the impact of black rot on their carrot crops.