Photo of the nematode:
Nematode (Nematodes) is a herbivorous worm belonging to the class Protostomes. It is distinguished by its gluttony and resistance to external influences.
The body of nematodes is yellow in color and has a well-developed mouthparts resembling forceps. It is with its help that they attach themselves to the strawberry bush, and then begin to actively feed on the juice.
Nematodes are almost always present in small numbers in the soil, but do not pose a threat to plants. Worms begin to actively reproduce only when favorable conditions occur - increased soil acidity, high temperature.
When infected, single strawberry bushes, as well as seedlings and young plants, are usually affected, and then the pest spreads to the entire planting. Nematodes themselves cannot cause much harm to a large planting - usually single bushes are infected, but the worm is a carrier of fungal diseases and reduces the plant's resistance to infections.
Varieties
There are several types of nematodes, depending on which they can be found on different cultivated plants.
The most common of them:
- Golden potato. Found only on plants of the Solanaceae family. A typical pest for tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants.
- Gall or root. It lives on the roots of plants; infestation can occur on most crops.
- Stem. Favorite plants of this species are garlic and onions, garden flowers, berries and potatoes.
- Leafy. Found almost everywhere. Prefers low plants, tomatoes, flowers of the Asteraceae family, and strawberries.
In the climatic conditions of Russia, garden strawberries are usually affected by stem and leaf nematodes.
Signs of pest damage
To diagnose an infection, you should use a microscope or dig up a bush, carefully examine the roots - white growths form on them, slightly larger than a poppy seed.
Typical signs of strawberry infection by a nematode:
- plant growth slows down or stops;
- leaves and ovaries are deformed;
- the leaves curl up and small swellings form on their inner side;
- petioles are shortened in size;
- vegetative parts turn pale, then turn yellow;
- The berries develop small and have a sour taste.
When a plant is infected with a nematode, its immunity is reduced, so concomitant infection with a fungal or bacterial infection often occurs.
How to fight? Methods
Getting rid of a nematode on a site is not always easy, since the pest has strong vitality and multiplies quickly. To treat strawberries and wild strawberries from nematodes, it is advisable to use an integrated approach - use several control methods at once.
Agronomic
These are the easiest ways to avoid nematodes on strawberry bushes. Agrotechnical methods of pest control:
- in the fall and spring after harvesting, you need to dig the soil deeply, remove all weeds, plant debris and parts of the roots;
- observe the feeding regime, avoid oversaturation and depletion of the soil in minerals;
- maintain a neutral pH level of the substrate;
- use high-quality planting material;
- observe crop rotation, do not plant one crop in a garden bed for more than 3 years in a row;
- choose resistant strawberry varieties.
It is advisable to dig a bed for planting strawberries to a depth of 1.5-2 spade bayonets. Every 3-5 years, it is advisable to update the soil, after which disinfection is carried out, for example, using a 1% solution of potassium permanganate.
Mechanical
The most common mechanical folk method of combating nematodes is treating the roots with boiling water. The method is effective only in the early stages of infection, when there is no significant damage to the bush.
Work algorithm:
- Carefully dig up the bush along with a lump of earth. Wash off any remaining soil with water.
- Immerse the roots of the plant in a container with water heated to a temperature of 45-55 o C and leave for 15-20 minutes.
- When planting a plant in a new place, it is advisable to add a solution of a growth stimulator to quickly adapt the bush.
The hole where the infection occurred must be treated with a chemical; for the next season, it is advisable to plant only resistant crops in this place.
Chemical
Traditional insecticides for the treatment and prevention of most pests are not able to cope with nematodes, since worms have a specific anatomical structure. To combat them, special drugs are used - nematicides.
The most effective of them:
- Nemakur (Fenamiphos);
- Karbofos;
- Heterophos;
- Lindan;
- Nemagon;
- Phosfamide.
The product must be applied in accordance with the dosage indicated on the package, since it is different for each drug. Treatment with nematicides is carried out 10-40 days before sowing or planting strawberries in the ground, depending on the toxicity of the product. These substances are strong toxins, so you should follow safety rules during work and properly store and transport the drugs.
Biological
This is more of a preventive measure than an active treatment method.
The mechanism of the biological method is based on the fact that the worm cannot tolerate the smell of some plants, therefore, to prevent infection, the following crops can be planted next to strawberries:
- marigold;
- nasturtium;
- white mustard;
- rudbeckia;
- gaillardia;
- calendula.
For 6-8 strawberry bushes you can plant 1-2 useful flowers. At the same time, it is important to take into account that it is necessary to slightly increase the volume of watering so that all plants have enough minerals and moisture in the soil.
In addition, the biological control method also includes the creation of beneficial microflora in the area, which reduces the risk of contracting fungal infections, since they are often a companion of nematodes. For this purpose, compost should be added during digging at the rate of 3-4 kg/m2.
Folk
There are a large number of traditional methods for treating strawberry infection with nematodes. They have little effectiveness, but they can be used at any stage of the growing season, unlike chemicals.
Popular folk methods:
- Infusion of marigolds. To prepare the product, you need to pour 5 kg of marigold leaves or flowers with 5 liters of water and leave in a dark place for 2 days. Strain the resulting mixture and spray the entire planting, water the soil;
- Calendula infusion. Add 5 tbsp to 2.5 liters of warm water. l. dried flowers of calendula officinalis. Leave the product to infuse in a dark room for 1 day. Use for watering for 7 days, then after a month carry out preventive spraying;
- Onion infusion. Pour 200 g of chopped onion into 5 liters of water, mix thoroughly and let it brew for 2-3 hours. Water the strawberry bushes, repeat the procedure in a week;
- Nasturtium infusion. Add 300 g of dry leaves of the plant to 5 liters of warm water, let it brew for 24 hours. Strain and use for watering within 7 days.
In addition, hogweed infusion is also used to combat nematodes, but the plant is poisonous to humans, so it is not recommended to use it if alternative options are available.
Preventive measures
Infection with nematodes on strawberries is much easier to avoid than to carry out long and not always effective treatment later.
- use only high-quality planting material, check the appearance of the plants;
- no later than 10 days before planting, treat the soil with nematicides;
- treat seedlings with hot water before planting;
- carefully inspect the bushes, remove all affected parts of the plants;
- observe the regime and volume of fertilizing, trying not to oversaturate the soil with nitrogen;
- in the fall, remove all plant debris and roots;
- observe crop rotation and planting technology;
- plant flowers around the perimeter of the bed and between the rows that repel nematodes.
If infected plants are found, they should be burned and not thrown into a compost bin. This can lead to further spread of pests and infections in the area.
Varieties resistant to the pest
Today, strawberry varieties have been developed that are resistant to infection by nematodes and diseases typical for this crop. These are the ones that are recommended to be used for growing.
The most resistant varieties:
- Saxon;
- Festival;
- Slavutich;
- Rocket;
- Dessert;
- Pearl mussel;
- Early Macherauha;
- Granddaughter.
In order for plants to be healthy and bear fruit well, proper care is important for them.
PESTS AND DISEASES OF STRAWBERRY AND STRAWBERRY (with photo)
You should regularly weed the soil around and inside the bushes to remove weeds. Fertilizing is an important step in caring for strawberries. It is almost impossible to completely get rid of nematodes, but it is quite possible to reduce their number on the site. Then the strawberries will be rewarded with tasty and juicy fruits.
Fighting strawberry mites
In early spring, as soon as the soil in the garden has dried out, it is necessary to begin active control of pests such as the strawberry mite, which is also called cyclamen mite. This is relevant for those gardeners who suffered from its activity last season. You shouldn’t waste a single day, because this insect multiplies at high speed and conquers more and more new territories.
How to deal with strawberry mite?
You should know that active control of strawberry mites occurs in both spring and summer, if necessary. You must not lose your vigilance, because insects can render garden strawberry plantings unusable in a short period of time. They suck cell sap from plants, drying out the leaves.
If you find that the young foliage is somehow strangely warped, reddish spots and small holes have appeared on it, the plants look underdeveloped - most likely the plant has been attacked by this pest.
It is possible to destroy the strawberry mite as such. Let's find out how to do this. Firstly, in the spring, before young leaves appear, the soil around the bushes and the rosettes themselves are spilled with hot water (70°C). Secondly, when the foliage begins to grow and reaches half its length, it is necessary to apply the traditional method - onion spraying.
To prepare the infusion, you need to pour 200 grams of husks into 10 liters of boiling water and leave for about 5 days.
Nematode on strawberry
After filtering, the solution is poured into a sprayer and the plants and soil underneath are treated. After this, the plantings are covered with cellophane for several hours. This measure is more preventive than curative, but will help get rid of possible infection.
In the fall, it is necessary to carefully destroy old foliage as a preventive measure, and if infection has occurred, then mow it down immediately after fruiting and burn it. Pests can enter healthy plantings when planting new varieties purchased both in stores and in spontaneous markets. To prevent this from happening, new plants are soaked for 15 minutes in hot water (45°C), and only then planted in the ground.
Preparations for strawberry mite
In the spring, even before flowering, it is good to treat strawberries against mites with a solution of colloidal sulfur (70%), and then spray again after two weeks. In addition to this drug, Bordeaux mixture has good activity against strawberry mites, which should be prepared at a concentration of 3% and the plant should be treated with it in parallel with other drugs.
In addition to these traditional means, heavy artillery is used in the fight against insects - the drugs Actellik, Fufanon, Kemifos. But it is worth remembering that you can eat strawberries only a month after using these products.
The nematode is a roundworm. It is small, its size does not exceed one millimeter, but despite this, the pest is capable of destroying a large number of fruits, it is distinguished by its gluttony. Using unique pincers, it is attached to the roots and stems of plants and injects certain substances into them that cause chemical reactions in the plantings. Thus, the worm prepares the most suitable dish for itself.
The nematode is highly resistant to adverse weather conditions; they are not at risk from treating plants with various chemicals. The color of the worm is white, yellowish or light brown.
What danger does a nematode pose?
The key danger of such a pest is that it cannot be detected during its reproduction. After the appearance of young individuals and an increase in the population of worms, the affected soil and strawberries will provoke a deterioration in the quality of the crop. And sometimes the harvest is completely absent due to the activity of nematodes.
- roots do not develop and are stunted;
- leaves become yellow, wrinkled, curled;
- leaves slow down their growth;
- the berries change their usual shape and become deformed.
Strawberries without nematodes
They dry out and form bald patches on the strawberry patch. Therefore, it is very important to know how to get rid of nematodes and how to treat plantings for the greatest effectiveness.
How to get rid of pests
There are other ways to eliminate pests. It is important to choose the right seedlings before planting:
To properly treat the bushes, they are cleaned of contaminants and dipped in the prepared solution for a quarter of an hour. Then rinse thoroughly and immerse again in water (hot). Next, the bushes are immersed in cold water for half an hour. After such manipulations, the seedlings can be planted.
In order for plants to be healthy and bear fruit well, proper care is important for them. You should regularly weed the soil around and inside the bushes to remove weeds. Fertilizing is an important step in caring for strawberries. It is almost impossible to completely get rid of nematodes, but it is quite possible to reduce their number on the site. Then the strawberries will be rewarded with tasty and juicy fruits.
Treatment of strawberries in spring from diseases and pests
Answers to questions that concern gardeners
Question No. 1. If the strawberry is absolutely healthy, can the mite harm it?
Yes maybe. But a healthy plant will be resistant to the pest for quite a long time. If it is weakened (insufficient watering, fertilizing), then the pest will very quickly destroy the crop.
Question No. 2. Should the entire plantation be treated with chemicals if a mite is found on one plant?
It is necessary to treat all bushes, as the pest spreads quickly. But do not use toxic drugs, but take substances that have a milder effect (look at folk remedies). There is no need to poison everything around if only one bush is infected.
Question No. 3. Will a soap solution without additives help?
You need to wash the leaves with a soapy solution to remove pests. Can you wash the strawberry plantation? In addition, this is more of a preventive measure than a destructive one. And it is mostly used for indoor crops.
Question No. 4. Why are multiple treatments necessary? After all, after strong drugs, the tick colony dies.
Don't forget about the life cycle of an arachnid. The female lays eggs in a variety of secluded places. Moreover, the eggs are quite resistant to the effects of drugs.
Nematode on strawberries: symptoms of damage, control methods and prevention
The first treatment was carried out, then larvae emerged from the preserved eggs. Conducted a second revision. You may need a third one.
Question No. 5. Last year, with the help of Aktellika, I saved my strawberry plantation from a mite invasion. I have already purchased the drug this year.
Firstly, it is worth changing. The pest gets used to the same “medicine”. Secondly, an invasion in the new year is not at all necessary. Plant onions and garlic between the strawberry bushes. Make flowerbeds of marigolds and calendula somewhere nearby. Maybe no chemicals will be useful.
Despite the production of new chemicals, pests visit our garden plots every year, destroying part of the crop. Follow strawberry agricultural practices and carefully monitor the condition of the plant. Try to destroy the pest in the early stages, then tasty, ripe and healthy berries will appear on your table.
Destruction of the weevil beetle
These insects belong to the beetle family and have a characteristic external feature - the front part of the head is highly elongated, which makes it look like an oblong tube.
The weevil is especially widespread in areas with a tropical climate. At the same time, in Russia the number of species reaches 5 thousand. Many of these species pose a danger to garden and vegetable crops.
Characteristics of the weevil beetle
Interestingly, the weevil beetle has no love for ripe fruits. They may not appear at all, since it is the buds of berry crops that are attractive to the insect: females lay their eggs there. When the larvae hatch from the eggs, they eat the flower from the inside, which leads to the death of the bud.
How to get rid of weevil
How to protect the crop into which so much effort has been invested? The most effective way is to spray with chemicals. The procedure must be repeated twice a year - in spring and summer. Choosing the right moment is even more important than choosing the product itself.
The first spraying should be carried out 5 days before the buds bloom. It is necessary to spray the crops a second time in mid-summer. The purpose of the repeated procedure is to eliminate the new generation of insects before they hide for the winter.
Folk remedies against weevil
It so happens that most gardeners are afraid to use chemicals in their garden plots. For this case, many folk methods of combating the weevil beetle have been invented.
Speaking about folk, “safe” remedies, it should be noted that any impact ends with the first rain. This is the main drawback of natural remedies. To achieve a tangible result, you have to repeat the procedure many times.
Chemical control agents
Here are a couple of effective chemicals:
- For spraying, chemicals such as Karbofos, Atellix, Metaphos and others are used.
- As an exterminator and at the same time preventive method, the soil is fed with biological insect control preparations. For example, Nemabact and Anthonem-F.
- Quite a quick result can be achieved by fumigating plants with gentle preparations.
The fight against weevils cannot be put off until later. Firstly, the population is growing, and secondly, the risk of crop loss is quite real.
Extermination of weevils on strawberries
As mentioned above, you first need to spray the plants five days before flowering. This is a necessary measure that will help protect the future harvest, repel pests and destroy existing ones. The degree of effectiveness depends on the product chosen for spraying.
There are two options: hope for the effectiveness of folk methods or resort to chemicals.
A novice gardener can be confused by the wide variety of preparations. Conflicting advice from more experienced gardeners is even more confusing. The wrong choice of product will not only not bring results, but will lead to the loss of precious time and your own efforts.
Only specialists of a specialized sanitary service, whose tasks include the destruction of dangerous insects, will be able to make a competent assessment of the situation and accurately choose a strategy.
Weevil larva
Types of weevil
This is one of the largest families of insects, numbering more than 50 thousand species. Only predator beetles (short-winged beetles or rove beetles) can compete with them in numbers. It is difficult to find a plant in the world that would be more or less unfamiliar with the weevil beetle.
Let's take a closer look at the most prominent representatives.
Giraffe
This representative can safely be called the most original. He lives on the island of Madagascar.
Diseases of strawberries and wild strawberries: fighting them (with photos)
For such a name he must thank his neck, the length of which sometimes exceeds the length of the body. An interesting fact is that long necks are characteristic of males. Its length helps males roll up the leaf so that the female can lay an egg there. The photo shows what a bizarre appearance this little “giraffe” has.
Elephant
pine weevil
It is also called pine elephant. Despite the cute name, this is a dangerous forest pest that lives in coniferous forests. The larvae develop under the bark of tree stumps, so the larvae are harmless. But when they turn into adults, they attack young conifers, gnawing out the bark. This can lead to the death of a fragile plant. The pine weevil is brown in color with yellow dots that form two longitudinal stripes.
Blue pine weevil
This species is a black beetle with a bluish tint. He also has an affinity for coniferous trees. It gnaws holes in young shoots and lays eggs there. The eggs hatch and the larvae begin to make passages inside the tree trunk, then pupate. The combined activity of larvae and adults leads to drying out and death of trees.
Large pine weevil
This subspecies of long-nosed insect is another enemy of forests. It is significantly larger than its relatives - its body length reaches 14 millimeters. His appetite is also good. It gives great benefits to young trees. By the way, this species is practically never found in old coniferous forests. The beetle has a bright brown or chestnut color with transverse yellowish or orange stripes and spots.
How dangerous is a beetle - video
“Epin – extra” is a unique growth stimulant that not only activates the development of the plant, but also increases immunity, which allows the plant to independently protect itself from diseases and pests, including nematodes.
Category “Questions and Answers”
Question No. 1. How long does it take to get rid of nematodes on strawberries?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely eliminate the nematode, but it is possible to reduce the number to a safe amount. Why does prevention and pest control need to be carried out constantly?
Question No. 2. Are nematodes dangerous for humans and pets?
No. The structure of the worms and nutritional needs are designed exclusively for plant juices.
Question #3. If strawberries are planted under agrofibre, will it protect against nematodes?
It will not be possible to completely get rid of the worm, but it will be possible to reduce the number and protect the strawberries. Spunbond creates conditions of high humidity that are uncomfortable for worms, which does not contribute to their spread.
Question #4. What drug is guaranteed to kill nematodes?
Unfortunately, such a tool has not yet been created. Substances that destroy worms belong to the group of nematicides. The difficulty is that most of them act on adults and damage the eggs. Those, in turn, can wait for favorable conditions for years.
Nematodes (stem and strawberry) in the garden - control measures
That is why it is necessary to carry out preventive measures and ensure that the number of pests does not increase.
Question #5. How to determine when purchasing whether there are nematodes on strawberries?
When purchasing seedlings, you need to carefully examine the roots and stems, especially those sold in pots with a lump. There should be no small whitish grains, similar to semolina, this is what females look like, filled with numerous eggs.
Mistakes when fighting nematodes
- The use of insecticides and preparations not intended to kill nematodes. Such treatments affect pests - insects, but not worms.
- Some gardeners throw the affected plants into compost, they say, they will rot. Nematodes are not afraid of this process. They retain the ability to reproduce for many years, waiting for favorable conditions, while infecting the fertilizers in which they are found.
- Many people are not alarmed by the unattractive appearance of several bushes affected by the nematode. The danger is that a colony of worms that has attacked one or more bushes will not leave them alone until it has sucked out all the juices, only after which it moves on to fresh prey. You should not wait for mass infection; it is better to destroy diseased bushes immediately.
Strawberry leaf disease in the photo
In years with cool, damp weather, strawberry plants suffer more from damage to the foliage by various types of fungal infections.
What strawberry diseases can develop: in the specialized scientific literature there are at least a dozen of them. A common feature for all these diseases is the appearance on old leaves of strawberries, located along the periphery of the bush, of various colors of small specks of white, purple or brown. Under unfavorable weather conditions such as cool, damp weather, the number of such spots on the leaves and their size quickly increase, as a result of which the leaves begin to die prematurely. These diseases are not as dangerous as gray rot, but if they develop strongly, due to weakening of plants, they can cause a decrease in yield in the next season by 25-30%.
Look at strawberry diseases and the fight against them in the photo, which illustrates the main signs and methods of plant treatment:
Powdery mildew on strawberries (photo) 
Gray rot of strawberries in the photo
Rarely - as a rule, only in very damp and rainy weather in open ground, strawberries are affected by powdery mildew. A fluffy white coating appears on the underside of the leaf blade. With these strawberry diseases and the fight against them, the leaf becomes deformed, subsequently darkens and dies.
See what fungal diseases of strawberries look like and the fight against them in the photos demonstrating the destructive consequences:
Common to all fungal infections that affect strawberry leaves is that they initially enter the site along with planting material (with the exception of the causative agent of gray mold, which lives everywhere), overwinter on dying plant debris, and their rapid development is facilitated by a warm and humid microclimate, formed inside the plantings. For this reason, the greatest crop losses occur in damp areas and heavily dense plantings.
Look at strawberry diseases in pictures, where you can see clear symptoms:
Strawberry diseases in the picture
Preventive protection of strawberries and wild strawberries from diseases
For the preventive protection of strawberries from diseases of this kind, the most important technique is to create and maintain an optimal microclimate and a minimal infectious background. As long-term practice shows, the appearance and rapid development of spots occurs, as a rule, on very old plantings, which are more than 4 years old. Therefore, for a gardener, a strong spread of leaf spots is, first of all, a signal not to start chemical treatment, but a reminder of the need to replace and rejuvenate plants.
Information about strawberry diseases and their treatment in pictures offered on this page will help you avoid troubles in your garden.
The basis for the prevention and protection of strawberries from diseases is the acquisition of healthy seedlings of modern resistant varieties. Equally important is choosing a sunny, well-ventilated area for planting strawberries and determining the correct planting pattern. Densely leafy varieties that form a large number of canes during the season are planted at a distance of at least 40 cm from each other. For low-leaved and low-leaved varieties, this distance is at least 20 cm.
In this case, diseases of garden strawberries and their treatment as in the photo will bypass the site:
Remember to regularly remove old dead leaves and thickening excess tendrils. Correct and moderate use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers is very important. They promote rapid growth of leaf mass and tendrils. The plant tissues become looser and waterlogged, with large pores through which fungal spores easily penetrate inside, causing disease. Fungal infections that affect strawberry leaves are practically not found in garden plots where foliar spraying of leaves with solutions of microelements and humate is carried out regularly.
You also need to know what to spray strawberries against diseases and what special solutions can be used for this. Among the measures to actively protect plants from fungal diseases, it is recommended to remove and burn heavily affected leaves and spray with universal fungicides (1-2% solution of Bordeaux mixture, topaz, topsin).
You can often hear complaints from our gardeners that from year to year they try new varieties, new fertilizers, and new agricultural techniques on their strawberry plantations, but there is no harvest. Plants grow weakly, although they do not die completely. It also happens when a well-growing and fruit-bearing strawberry plantation, after replanting new plants, began to degenerate and bear fruit poorly. It is quite possible that the reasons for this are the defeat of strawberry plants by very dangerous and insidious diseases and pests, which are classified as quarantine.
For garden strawberry culture this is:
Nematodes (strawberry and stem)
Strawberry mite.
Timely treatment of strawberries against diseases of this type is the key to a rich harvest of beautiful, even berries.
Look at these strawberry diseases in the photo and their treatment can begin after an accurate diagnosis is made:
Watch how strawberries are treated against diseases in the spring in a video where all the activities are presented:
In countries with a high level of nursery culture, amateur gardeners practically do not encounter such problems. Large nurseries generally do not allow contaminated plants to enter the market. It is not surprising, therefore, that even in translated publications on plant protection for amateurs, this section is often missing. In our country, where the practice of purchasing planting material by hand and from little-known suppliers is still very common, the likelihood of these dangerous objects getting onto the site is quite high. It is better for our hobbyists to have the necessary minimum knowledge about quarantine pests and diseases in order to minimize the risk of unpleasant encounters with them in their area in the future. Summer is the best time to inspect plantings for the presence of such pests and diseases.
Be sure to study the strawberry diseases in the photo in advance and take effective measures when the first signs appear:
Diseases of garden strawberries in the photo
On an industrial scale, to establish plantings with planting material that is free from quarantine diseases and pests, an expensive cellular PCR analysis is carried out in the laboratory. To improve the health of plants, an extremely labor-intensive and expensive procedure of thermotherapy and microclonal propagation is also carried out. It is very important to know the diseases of garden strawberries and their treatment in order to carry out preventive measures.
Unfortunately, on the scale of a summer cottage there is no cure for strawberry disease or saving plants from quarantine objects. When you first notice such symptoms or even suspect the appearance of such pests and diseases, it is better to play it safe and immediately get rid of “suspicious plants.” Under no circumstances should you take their whiskers for further reproduction.
The only reliable way to avoid encountering these very dangerous and insidious objects on your site is to purchase certified planting material from reliable suppliers, maintain regular crop rotation and have a high culture of strawberry cultivation - the absence of weeds and sucking insects on the plantings.
To improve the soil from nematodes in a garden plot, introduce “local quarantine” and grow green manure crops on this plot for 2-3 years as a predecessor to strawberries - mustard, nasturtium and tagetis.
Currently, manufacturers annually offer products to treat strawberries against diseases and similar pests - they are made on the basis of strong poisons and therefore can be dangerous to human health. Be careful.
Strawberry and stem nematodes in the photo
Strawberry and stem nematodes- whitish-transparent microscopic worms that live inside the root and vascular systems of plants and feed on their juices. Due to their microscopic size (no more than 0.015 mm), it is impossible to see them with the naked eye. In addition to strawberries, nematodes also attack other cultivated and weed plants from many families. They enter the site with planting material - infected tendrils, cuttings, shoots, and bulbs. Actively multiplying during the warm period of the year, they begin to severely inhibit plants.
Nematode damage is initially focal. A group of plants growing nearby begins to lag in growth and form distorted leaves of a different color. Individuals of the strawberry nematode live mainly inside peduncles and buds, causing their deformation, shortening and thickening. The buds become small and underdeveloped or, conversely, disproportionately long and thin. The bushes become like cauliflower; they do not produce berries.
Strawberry plants damaged by stem nematodes have twisted, wrinkled leaves, peduncles and petioles, thickened with swellings. Plants are sharply stunted in growth. The petioles and whiskers turn red.
Strawberry leaves affected by mites in the photo
Strawberry mite- a microscopic transparent insect, like nematodes, feeds on plant sap. Ticks live inside the central bud - the heart, sucking juices from the youngest unblown strawberry leaves. Affected plants begin to be severely stunted, become dwarfed, young leaves unfurl severely deformed and have an oily yellow tint.
Viral and mycoplasma diseases of strawberries and treatment are discussed further in the material. The group of quarantine diseases includes viral infections, of which there are at least 19 in the scientific literature, and 4 types of mycoplasmas. According to world statistics, at the initial stage of infection they cause a decrease in plant yield by 20-40%. Subsequently, the affected plants completely lose their ability to grow and bear fruit normally.
Look at the strawberry viral diseases in the photo, which shows the most important symptoms and signs:
One of the biggest challenges in controlling these diseases is the difficulty of initial diagnosis. Some viruses affect not only strawberry plants, but also other crops and weeds, and can enter strawberries with cell sap carried by sucking pests. Viruses and mycoplasmas penetrate cells and change the very cellular structure of plants. External symptoms of damage in the initial stages are insignificant and are disguised as various kinds of physiological disorders or lack of nutrients.
Just like quarantine pests, most often viral and mycoplasma infections initially land on an area with infected seedlings. However, in the future they can very quickly spread in plantings together with sucking insects (aphids and mites) feeding on cell sap, or together with cutting tools (for example, on the blades of pruning shears when trimming mustaches).
Common signs of damage to strawberry plants by viruses and mycoplasmas are stunted growth and changes in the color and shape of leaves. The leaves begin to acquire a yellowish or even whitish color, mottled and mosaic. The leaf segments do not open along the main vein or, on the contrary, bend strongly downward. The leaf petioles are either disproportionately short, so that the bush looks spread out on the ground, or vice versa, the petioles are very long and elongated, the bush forms a large number of thin long tendrils. In common parlance, such plants are called “witches’ brooms” or erroneously “male non-fruiting strawberries.” Mycoplasma infection can be expressed in the greening and sprouting of strawberry flower petals; such berry flowers no longer set.
In the second half of summer, when warm, humid weather sets in, strawberries may show signs of damage by such dangerous fungal infections, which are collectively called “withering diseases” or “root rot” in the scientific literature.
In horticulture, if strawberry leaf diseases develop, losses in the current year's crop can be up to 50%. In some years, under unfavorable weather conditions and errors in agricultural technology, they can cause complete death.
Look at strawberry diseases in the photo, which shows a cross section of a plant with varying degrees of root rot damage:
On the right is the initial stage, on the left is the final landing. But still, compared to viral and mycoplasma diseases of strawberries and their treatment, they are much easier to diagnose. Thanks to modern advances in chemical science, there are drugs that can preventively protect against such pathogens and even cure strawberry leaf disease completely and save diseased plants. In addition, thanks to the work of breeders, there are varieties that are relatively resistant to root rot.
Let us dwell on the key points of diagnosing and protecting plants from this group of diseases.
The most common found in garden plots are:
Verticillium wilt in the photo
Verticillium
Fusarium wilt in the photo
Fusarium
Late blight wilt
What all these strawberry leaf diseases have in common is that they are caused by soil fungal microorganisms.
Initially, the causative agents of these diseases enter the plots with infected planting material. When planting apparently healthy seedlings, even they may die after 1 month for no apparent reason. A certain amount of pathogenic fungi is present in most garden plots - the so-called natural infectious background. In this case, significant damage or mass death of plants occurs only when planting unresistant varieties or unfavorable weather conditions and errors in agricultural technology.
Through micro-wounds on the roots or enlarged pores, pathogenic fungi penetrate into the plant’s conducting system, where they feed on juices and actively reproduce. In the root and vascular system of plants, the mycelium of the fungus develops a kind of plaques and plugs, which primarily impede the movement of water and nutrients through the vascular system.
The first signs of plant damage are stunted growth and wilting of the lower leaves on hot sunny days, even with good soil moisture. Next, you can observe a change in the color of the leaves and petioles. The leaves become lighter with a yellowish tint - chlorotic, and the petioles may acquire a reddish tint. Carrying out chemical treatments at this initial stage can stop the development of the disease and save the plants.
The appearance of “root rot” is provoked not only by periods of excessive moisture at high temperatures or drought, but also by sudden changes in soil moisture. This leads to the formation of microcracks on the roots, through which infection penetrates. These diseases also develop more strongly on long-term waterlogged soils, where the root system of plants is weakened and experiences a constant lack of oxygen.
In areas where strawberries or crops that are also highly susceptible to verticillium and fusarium (asters, tomatoes, potatoes, clematis, beets) have been grown for a long time and continuously, the pathogenic background is significantly higher than the natural background of infection. When planting even absolutely healthy planting material on them, plant death can be more than 30%.
Look at these strawberry diseases with photographs and explore the possibilities of timely treatment, including chemicals:
How to treat and fight strawberry diseases
The best way to combat strawberry diseases on your site is to purchase guaranteed healthy strawberry planting material and grow resistant varieties. Among the remontant varieties, this variety can be called Queen Elizabeth 2, and from the group of ordinary varieties, the most resistant are Zenga Zengana and Red Gauntlet, Honey, Torpeda, Tsarskoselskaya.
Before planting, it is recommended to dip the root system of the seedlings in a humate solution or pour the holes with a Maxim solution or a 0.2% foundation solution before planting. These are the basic solutions for how to treat strawberries for diseases that are common in limited areas.
Among the preventive agrotechnical measures, the best are the choice of sites with optimal water-air conditions for planting strawberries and regular adherence to crop rotation with the correct predecessors.
It is important not to forget to regularly mulch the soil under the bushes with a layer of organic matter. It helps maintain optimal water-air conditions and the growth of new suction roots.
The drug “Fundazol” in the photo 
Processing strawberries in the photo
Solutions of the drugs - Maxim or Fundazol - can be used to water the plants of the most valuable and favorite varieties at the initial stage of damage. However, the most reliable method is the complete removal of affected plants from the area and disinfection of the planting site.
In the future, it is recommended to plant strawberries in this area no earlier than after 3 years, during which green manure crops are grown on it to improve the soil health - tagetis, calendula, phacelia, mustard
The strawberry diseases presented in the video will allow you to get an accurate idea of them and the means to combat them:
Strawberries are attacked by nematodes whose body length is no more than 2 cm. Their integument is yellowish. Females belonging to this species are very fertile and are capable of carrying about 1 thousand eggs.
Methods of controlling nematodes on strawberries are based, first of all, on correct agricultural technology, which is combined with the use of certain drugs.
It will take a long time to fight the nematode on strawberries, but it is desirable that the fight be comprehensive
Signs of strawberry nematode infection
Diagnosis in this case is complicated by the fact that the worm is very small in size, and therefore it is practically impossible to detect it at an early stage. In most cases, the appearance of a nematode on strawberries is indicated by the appearance of the bush and, as can be seen in the following photo, such signs resemble a nutritional deficiency:
- the growth and development of plants is suspended;
- Although the ovaries and fruits are formed, their shape is disrupted;
- the leaves become smaller and curl up, and on their upper side you can find swellings - galls;
- When the petioles are thick, they are shortened.
By sticking to the body of the plant, the small nematode damages the tissue, and these areas become ideal soil for the development of fungal diseases and infections, and therefore treatment of strawberries must begin immediately - at the first symptoms of infection.
By the way, this is precisely what explains the defeat of single strawberry bushes on the site. So-called bald spots are created in plantings.
At the same time, complete destruction is extremely rare; such a situation is only possible if there are thousands of nematodes on every square meter!
Nematode eggs can remain viable for several years and become active when favorable conditions occur.
Folk remedies for pest control
When choosing how to treat strawberries against nematodes, it is first of all advisable to turn your attention to gentle methods. Moreover, some of them are quite capable of reducing the pest population to a safe amount.
- Hot water treatment. This method is used by many experienced gardeners and note its high efficiency. We dig up the affected strawberry bushes and wash their roots from the substrate under running water. Then we immerse them in a container of water, the temperature of which should be +47...55°C. Soak the rhizomes in water for 5-20 minutes. The exposure time is determined by how badly the bushes are damaged. For example, to destroy only adult individuals, +40°C will be enough; eggs die at higher rates and over a long period of time - at +55°C for 20 minutes. Important! You should not make the water too hot, as you risk cooking the plant, which will eventually kill it!
- Infusion of marigolds. For the strawberry nematode, marigolds are a real poison. The aroma of these plants is very attractive to pests, but the juices of the flower are destructive to them. To prepare the product, 5 kg of raw materials must be filled with 5 liters of water and left for 48 hours in a warm place. We filter the finished infusion and water the infected plants.
- Infusion of calendula officinalis. Add 5 tablespoons of dried raw materials to half a bucket of water (5 l) and leave for at least a day at room temperature. To treat strawberry bushes, we use a ready-made watering agent once every seven days for a long time, to ensure prevention - a couple of times a month.
- Hogweed infusion. In order to prepare the drug, half a kilo of raw materials must be filled with five liters of water. After a day, we filter the infusion and spill the soil under the affected bushes. Important! Remember that hogweed is a poisonous plant, and therefore all manipulations with it, as well as with an infusion based on it, must be carried out with gloves and avoid contact of the product with the skin and mucous membranes!
- Onion infusion. To prepare it, you should use a trampoline. Raw materials in the amount of 200 g are crushed and filled with five liters of water. Infected plants are watered with the prepared product every seven days.
- Nasturtium infusion. Pour 300 g of grass into five liters of water, leave for 24 hours, filter and use to water strawberries once a week.
In addition, to protect strawberries from nematodes, green green manure can be planted around the perimeter of the beds. These include green radish, oily and white mustard
Chemicals against nematodes
Since it is often quite difficult to fight nematodes on strawberries, many gardeners turn to chemicals for help to achieve quick positive results. The most popular are:
- “Heterophos” - the working solution is prepared from 15 g of the substance dissolved in a bucket of water. Plantings are processed at +20°C. Seedlings can be soaked in the same liquid. Excavation work is carried out only a month and a half after using this product. Important! The drug "Heterofos" is highly toxic, and therefore it is allowed to work with it only in protective equipment: gloves, sweaty clothes and a respirator!
- “Phosfamtide” - a 0.02% solution of the drug is used for treatment, carried out every 3-5 days.
- "Mercaptophos" - used similarly to "Phosphamtide";
- "Lindane" or "Ruskamin" - used similarly to "Phosphamtide" and "Mercaptophos".
Treatment of strawberries from nematodes: sequence of actions
Treatment of strawberry diseases caused by nematodes is carried out according to the following scheme:
- In the spring we conduct an audit of plantings, inspecting the bushes every week. During the same period, we add fertilizers containing potassium and organic matter. Wood ash shows good results in this case.
- During the entire growing season, we use effective microorganisms and treat the plantings several times with growth stimulants (Epin), the action of which is aimed at strengthening the plant’s immunity.
- We dig up all infected bushes and treat them with hot water.
- After picking the berries, we use chemicals.
- In the fall, we add phosphorus-potassium fertilizers to the soil.
"Epin-extra" is one of the best growth stimulants, which activates the immune forces of plants, which helps them protect themselves from many pests
Prevention
In order to prevent the growth of the nematode population, it is first necessary to use clean and healthy planting material. Before purchasing, seedlings should be carefully examined, paying special attention to their root system. However, even without obvious signs of infection, it is advisable to spill the roots with hot water before planting them in the ground.
Maintain crop rotation, changing the permanent location of the strawberries every 4-5 years. This measure will prevent the spread of pests throughout the garden.
Fragrant varieties of marigolds are very attractive to nematodes and they crawl towards such plantings as if to a magnet.
In addition, along the perimeter of strawberry plantings, it is recommended to place herbaceous perennials such as drumonda, coreopsis, beautiful gaillardia and hairy rudbeckia.
Marigolds, calendula and nasturtium can be used not only to prepare remedies against nematodes, but also planted next to strawberries
On a note! Undesirable neighbors for strawberries are potatoes, tomatoes, celery, cabbage, carrots, peas and beans!
If the area has been infected and you have carried out work to destroy pests, then next year it is advisable to plant certain varieties of strawberries that are resistant to diseases and pests, including nematodes. These include:
- "Granddaughter";
- "Saxon"
- "Pearl";
- "Rocket";
- "Festival";
- "Dessert"
In spring and autumn, thoroughly clean the garden of weeds and plant debris, burning everything collected outside the site. This will allow the destruction of individuals that settled for the winter and were able to survive it.
When planting seedlings, try not to thicken the plantings. Care for them regularly, weed them and thin them from time to time. Thanks to these measures, you can significantly reduce the number of nematodes. Have a good harvest!
Have you read it? Don't forget to rate (: 15 , average rating:
THE LAST NOTES
Recent comments
Source: http://BeetleStop.ru/borbya-s-nematodoy-na-klubnike/
Nematode on strawberries: methods of pest control
The strawberry or strawberry nematode is a microscopic worm that causes enormous damage to plants. Affected plants stop growing actively and wither. In advanced cases, it leads to crop loss. It is difficult to completely get rid of this problem. The best way to combat nematodes can be timely prevention.
Dear readers! For you, we have created communities on social networks in which useful articles and interesting ideas are published several times a day! Subscribe and receive useful content in a convenient format!
- In contact with
- Yandex.Zen
Description
The nematode is a very voracious and tenacious pest. Even eggs can remain in the ground for up to 10 years, and then hatch. It is not easy to detect; the size of this roundworm is from 1 millimeter to 2 centimeters.
What is a nematode - biological description
A nematode or Nematodes is a roundworm belonging to the phylum Protostomes. The body color is white, sometimes yellowish.
Males and females are easily distinguished by body shape. Females are rounder because they carry the eggs within themselves.
The nematode's mouthparts resemble small forceps. With the help of this organ, it is tightly attached to the stem or roots of garden strawberries. After which it actively feeds on the sap of the plant.
Reference! Eggs and adult nematode worms hide in the soil. This is an additional circumstance that makes them difficult to detect and remove.
Types of nematodes
Strawberries or garden strawberries are affected by leaf and stem forms.
On strawberries it can radically reduce the yield of the plant. The best the time for its development begins in May - early June. It is at this time that flowering and fruit formation occur, which greatly weakens the plants. The berries become small and ugly and lose their attractive taste.
Peculiarities! Good prevention of nematode damage is varieties that are resistant to the effects of this pest.
What does the affected plant look like?
The nematode is extremely difficult to see with the naked eye. Its presence can be determined by indirect signs:
- Swelling on the stem or leaf veins;
- Shortening and curvature of petioles;
- Wrinkling and subsequent death of leaves;
- Deformation and reduction of the ovary;
- Specific swellings or galls form on the upper side of the leaves.
The growth of bushes slows down sharply, the plants seem to be “pressed” to the ground. Spreads through infected plants.
Reference! Infected seedlings can be identified upon inspection. In the earthen coma you can see white dots reminiscent of semolina. This is what female nematodes look like, filled with eggs.
What harm can it cause?
Different types of nematodes live in the soil. But they are dangerous only in high concentrations around the plant.
Attaching to the stem and leaves, the worms suck out the juice from them. At the same time, they inject a special chemical into the plant.
It makes the stem or leaves more suitable for the pest.
Another serious danger is the infection of damaged plants with infections.
The nematode becomes a serious threat at concentrations of more than 1,000 worms per square meter. This is possible due to the enormous fertility of females. At one time, they are capable of laying up to 2-000 eggs at a time.
Attention! The nematode additionally serves as a carrier of viral and fungal diseases.
Photo of strawberry nematode
How to fight the disease
Once a nematode appears, it will be quite difficult to get rid of it. The removal process from the site may take longer than 3 months. The following methods can be used for this:
- Agronomic (these include deep digging of the earth, soil optimization and changing the planting site);
- Mechanical (treatment of the root system of plants with hot water);
- Chemical (nematicide treatment);
- Biological (planting plants next to the bed, the proximity of which is not tolerated by nematodes).
More information about the fight against nematodes can be found in the video below:
Severely affected bushes should be destroyed immediately. This will prevent infection of healthy plants. The best effect is achieved by a combination of these measures.
Reference! It is impossible to completely get rid of nematodes from an area. But you can reduce its amount to an acceptable amount.
Method of treatment with folk remedies
Proven folk remedies include hot water treatment. The method is effective at the initial stage of root infection. Thus, it is possible to “cure” seedlings if female nematodes are found in the root coma of the earth. For this:
- Dig up a mature bush. If we are talking about seedlings, they are carefully removed from the pots;
- Thoroughly wash off the soil and nematodes from the roots. This water should not be used for watering other plants or for composting;
- The roots of the plant are immersed in a container of water. A water temperature of 45 - 50 C will ensure the death of not only adult worms, but also eggs. Do not use hotter water so as not to damage the bush. Keep for 5 to 20 minutes.
You can learn more about the fight against nematodes using biological methods from the video below:
After this, the bush is carefully transplanted to a new place and watered abundantly. Spraying with decoctions of plants that are poisonous to nematodes also has a good effect. It can be:
- Marigolds (1 kilogram of inflorescences per 10 liters of water, spray the bushes with a filtered solution;
- Calendula (1 spoon of flowers per 1 liter of water);
- Large nasturtium (300 grams of plants per 1 liter of water);
- Onion (30 grams of dry plant per 5 liters of water).
Unlike chemical nematodocytes, spraying with plant products can be done during flowering and ovary formation.
How to treat with chemicals
The most popular nematicides include:
- Mercaptophos;
- Ruskamin;
- Lindan;
- Heterophos;
- Phosphamtide.
The solution is prepared and used according to the instructions included with the drug. Treatment is usually carried out before flowering begins.
Carefully! Nematicides are highly toxic. Work must be carried out using personal protective equipment. These include a respirator, gloves and thick clothing.
Strawberry varieties resistant to nematodes
If the site already has such a problem, it is worth paying special attention to prevention.
One of the most effective measures is use of pest-resistant varieties. The most popular of them:
- Festival;
- Saxon;
- Granddaughter;
- Pearl mussel;
- Rocket.
At the same time, they have strong immunity to viral and fungal infections.
Peculiarities! The use of resistant varieties is the prevention of the most dangerous fungal diseases of garden strawberries.
Prevention measures
Measures to prevent nematode infection include:
- High-quality planting material. Most often, infection occurs through infected seedlings. It is worth purchasing it in nurseries or trusted stores;
- Pre-planting treatment of plant roots with drugs such as Paradrion or Fosdrin;
- Adding compost to the soil. The fungi contained in it destroy nematodes;
- Regular transfer to another place. It needs to be done every 4 – 5 years.
Planting plants with an active scent next to the strawberry beds helps.:
- Marigolds (example in the photo on the right);
- Nasturtium;
- Medicinal calendula;
- Rudbeckia pilosa; Coreopsis Drumond;
- Gaypardia is beautiful.
They can be planted around the perimeter of strawberry beds, providing reliable protection.
Mistakes when fighting strawberry nematode
To reduce the risk of nematodes, it is important not to repeat common mistakes:
- Use of insecticides. They are effective against insects, but are completely useless against nematodes;
- Throwing affected plants into compost. Nematode eggs have excellent vitality for up to 10 years.
It is dangerous to ignore lightly infected bushes. At this stage, the affected plants can be cured in time. Even 1–2 bad-looking bushes should alert you.
The nematode or roundworm is one of the most dangerous pests of garden strawberries. These microscopic worms infect the leaves, berries, roots and stems of the plant. Getting rid of the problem is difficult, since eggs and adults are quite tenacious. Spreads through contaminated planting material or soil.
Learn more about nematode control in the video below:
Source: https://moyasotka.com/sad/yagody/klubnika/bolezni/nematoda-metodi-borbi.html
Worms on strawberries
Strawberry nematode: photo of the pest
At the same time, it infects the crop with a special substance harmful to it, causing metabolic disorders. Reproduces offspring up to 8 times per season. The female can be distinguished from the male. Their body is more rounded.
Eggs are not laid in a clutch - the female carries them inside herself.
The danger of nematodes to plants
This is the “work” that a worm does on berries
Basically, the nematode attacks single strawberry bushes. Signs of its presence are:
- Growth retardation.
- Thickening of the veins of leaf plates, change in their color: from green to yellow.
- Wilting of apical buds.
- Single inflorescences or their absence.
- Change in color (the plant turns pale, then turns yellow, turns black).
- Leaf deformation, especially noticeable in warm weather.
- Reduction in fruit size.
- Lesions of the root system causing slow growth.
How to save the harvest
There are several ways to fight strawberry nematodes without using chemicals.
It is important to plant plants correctly
- Before planting in the ground, rinse strawberry seedlings with water. Pay special attention to the roots, on which soil from the old bed may remain. Treat the prepared plant with a saline solution: dissolve 5 tablespoons of salt in five liters of water. You need to completely immerse the clean plant and let it sit for a quarter of an hour. Before planting in the ground, rinse the seedlings in clean water.
- Soil must be delivered to the beds without pests. In nature, nematodes can be found everywhere: in turf, coniferous and leaf litter.
- If the seedlings are healthy, they are still treated with a disinfection solution. It is best if it is an aqueous solution of Fosdrin or Parathion.
- The composition of Bordeaux mixture (1%) is applied to the first blossoming leaves of already growing berries.
- Set up strawberry beds away from growing peas, potatoes, and onions. For nematodes, these are the best cultures for reproduction and development. In the case of the next transplantation of strawberry bushes, they are not planted in the same soil where the listed crops grew.
- Plants need to be planted within a time frame. When transplanting, you can return to your original place, no earlier than after 5-7 years.
- Create natural barriers around the strawberry plantation. It could be marigolds. The smell of the plant repels the worm.
- Dig shallow grooves. They are filled with lime, which has a detrimental effect on nematodes.
- Clearing beds from diseased plants and bushes.
- Weed control.
- Thinning bushes.
- Manure is another means of combating strawberry nematodes (periodic soil fertilization). In strawberry beds, it promotes the development of simple fungi. Such an environment is destructive for worms.
Fighting with the use of chemical reagents
Universal remedy against garden pests
There are effective drugs for strawberry nematodes:
Attention! Insecticides need to be applied 4 times during the growing season at intervals of every 3-5 days. Despite the strong impact and toxicity, a significant “minus” of this treatment is its neutrality towards eggs.
What people say
The specific dimensions, which cannot be seen without optics, lead to the fact that strawberry nematodes are almost not combated using traditional methods. Ascertainment of crop damage is recorded when there are external manifestations on the plant, when no methods of destruction are suitable, except for the use of potent chemicals.
Prevention of the appearance of a worm is to treat with nettle infusion
- And yet, you can get rid of a nematode on strawberries if it is detected early by treating the extracted plant (its root) with water at a temperature no higher than 55C for 10-15 minutes. Then dip the seedlings in cold (temperature 10°C) water for another quarter of an hour. For preventive purposes, a fungicide is added to the cold liquid one last time. This temperature is not destructive for the root system, but nematodes laid eggs on the plant die during heat treatment. If there are a lot of seedlings, take a container with a volume of 30-40 liters. It will fit approximately 40-50 bushes.
- How to fight nematodes on strawberries using nettles? To do this you need to pick a whole bucket of it. Pour boiling water over it and leave to steep for 3 or 4 days. The strained solution, getting on the strawberries and penetrating into the soil, has a detrimental effect on the worms in the fruits and on the roots.
- Damage to plants indicates contaminated soil. Therefore, the treated plants are inspected, damaged areas of the root are cut out, after which the bushes are transplanted to new beds. If the affected area is more than half, the crop must be destroyed: burned or buried to a sufficient depth outside the boundaries of the garden plot. In the latter case, bleach is poured onto the plant before disposal.
- Heavily contaminated soil should be disinfected. To do this, treat the upper layers of the soil with carbon disulfide.
- The fight against nematodes on strawberries is carried out by farmers using the pharmaceutical tablet drug Dekaris. To do this, the tablet is crushed and completely dissolved in a liter of water. Water the strawberries about 4 times.
Using comprehensive control measures, proper watering, fertilizing, and crop care can prevent the appearance of nematodes in the beds. At the first sign of a pest, immediately apply any of the listed measures to prevent mass destruction.
Where to submit a tick for analysis
Download the pest control leaflet
Source: http://vreditel-stoi.ru/sad/klubnika/nematoda-na-klubnike.html
As a result of the activity of these worms, the berries receive severe damage, and if you ignore the problem, you can lose the entire harvest.
To prevent infection of strawberry bushes, you should take timely preventive measures and be able to recognize the presence of pests in the early stages.
What is a nematode?
Nematode on a strawberry.
The nematode is highly resistant to various unfavorable factors, and sometimes it can be quite difficult to cope with it.
Fighting nematodes is extremely difficult, but possible.
As practice shows, most often single bushes on the site are affected when gaps accidentally form in the plantings.
Damage to absolutely all strawberry bushes on the site is a rare occurrence.
The danger of nematodes for strawberries
The nematode begins to infect strawberry bushes only under certain conditions:
- soil acidity should be within 5.5–5.8 pH;
- air temperature rise to 25–30 C.
How to detect a nematode
It is almost impossible to timely diagnose strawberry bushes for the presence of nematodes due to the small size of the worm.
Roots affected by nematodes.
- You need to dig up the bush and carefully examine its roots. If white growths are noticeable on them, similar in appearance to poppy seeds, then the plant is infected.
- The second method is more painstaking: you need to chop the leaves, stems, flowers and put them in water. After 10–12 hours, you need to examine it through a magnifying glass or magnifying glass. Insects in the water will look like moving microscopic threads.
Symptoms and signs
Brown or pale yellow spots on the leaves. Curling, ugly leaves.
If strawberries are allowed to be damaged by a nematode, this will be evidenced by the depressing appearance of the garden crop:
- the development and growth of plants completely stops;
- the ovaries are formed with deformations;
- leaf blades decrease in size and curl up, galls appear on the inside - swellings;
- petioles are shortened;
- the apical buds fade;
- a color change occurs: at first the plant turns pale, then turns yellow and then turns black;
- the fruits ripen much smaller than is typical for this variety.
Deformed berries may also indicate the appearance of a nematode.
The nematode is dangerous not only in itself: by weakening the plant, it makes it an ideal target for attack by numerous infectious and fungal diseases. This is why it is so important to start treating strawberries when the first signs of damage are detected.
Traditional methods for pest control
Hot water treatment
Many gardeners with extensive experience in growing strawberries recommend this simple and very effective method.
For the nematode, marigolds are a potent poison.
Biologically active substances contained in marigold infusion disinfect the soil and destroy small pests and fungal spores.
To cope with the pest, you need to pour 5 kg of fresh flowers into 5 liters of water, and leave for two days at room temperature. The infusion is filtered, and then the affected plants are watered with it.
Onion infusion
Chop 200 g of trampoline onion and add 5 liters of water and let it brew for 1-2 days.
Water the area with the resulting infusion once a week.
Calendula infusion
5 tablespoons of crushed dry raw materials are poured into 5 liters of water and infused for 24 hours.
For prevention, water strawberries with it twice a month, to get rid of nematodes - once a week for a long time.
Chemicals to control nematodes
Extensive plantings of strawberries are treated against nematodes with chemicals that have a great damaging effect.
Because it is extremely difficult to fight nematodes, and most often it is impossible to do without the use of chemicals. The most popular among them are:
- Heterophos– to prepare the solution, stir 15 g of the drug in one bucket of water. In addition to treating the infected area, seedlings can be soaked in it immediately before planting in a permanent place. It is worth noting that this product is very toxic, and when working with it you must use a respirator, gloves and thick clothing.
- Phosphamtide, Mercaptophos, Lindane, Ruskamin– to treat the affected bushes, use a 0.05% solution of any of these drugs. The procedure is carried out once every 3–5 days.
- Copper sulfate– used for frequent and abundant spraying in early spring, when the growing season is just starting.
- Skor, Fundazol– these insecticides are used to control larvae after the final harvest. The solution is prepared according to the instructions. But they can also be used to disinfect holes before planting seedlings and irrigate young strawberry bushes.
Preventive measures
To avoid introducing the nematode along with purchased seedlings, you need to wash the roots of the seedling with warm water.
It is much easier and more painless to prevent nematode damage to strawberries than to treat it later. As preventative measures, experienced gardeners recommend:
- Purchase planting material only from trusted manufacturers. Before purchasing, you need to carefully examine the seedlings, especially their root system. And even if there are no obvious signs of infection, they should be soaked in hot water before planting.
- The soil on the site should be composted. Moreover, this must be done not only before planting, but throughout the entire growing season. The fact is that compost contains active components that can fight nematodes.
- In the spring, you should carefully inspect the bushes every week and regularly feed them with fertilizers containing organic matter and potassium. During the growing season, it is recommended to treat the seedlings with the growth stimulator "Epin", thanks to which the immunity of young plants is noticeably strengthened.
- When planting seedlings to save space, do not thicken the plantings. Regular weeding and thinning of bushes will reduce the risk of nematode damage.
- In autumn and spring, you need to clean the area as thoroughly as possible from plant debris and weeds, burning everything outside the garden. Thanks to this measure, you can get rid of pests that stayed for the winter or successfully survived it.
- Nematodes actively react to fragrant marigolds, which attract pests to themselves like a magnet. However, the juice of these plants is deadly: once the nematodes get enough of it, they die. Knowing this feature, you can use it to protect plantings from insects. It is enough to plant nasturtium or calendula around the perimeter of the strawberry plot to protect the crop from encroachment.
Diagnosis in this case is complicated by the fact that the worm is very small in size, and therefore it is practically impossible to detect it at an early stage. In most cases, the appearance of a nematode on strawberries is indicated by the appearance of the bush and, as can be seen in the following photo, such signs resemble a nutritional deficiency:
- the growth and development of plants is suspended;
- Although the ovaries and fruits are formed, their shape is disrupted;
- the leaves become smaller and curl up, and on their upper side you can find swellings - galls;
- When the petioles are thick, they are shortened.
By sticking to the body of the plant, the small nematode damages the tissue, and these areas become ideal soil for the development of fungal diseases and infections, and therefore treatment of strawberries must begin immediately - at the first symptoms of infection.
Nematode eggs can remain viable for several years and become active when favorable conditions occur.
Folk remedies for pest control
When choosing how to treat strawberries against nematodes, it is first of all advisable to turn your attention to gentle methods. Moreover, some of them are quite capable of reducing the pest population to a safe amount.
- Hot water treatment. This method is used by many experienced gardeners and note its high efficiency. We dig up the affected strawberry bushes and wash their roots from the substrate under running water. Then we immerse them in a container of water, the temperature of which should be +47...55°C. Soak the rhizomes in water for 5-20 minutes. The exposure time is determined by how badly the bushes are damaged. For example, to destroy only adult individuals, +40°C will be enough; eggs die at higher rates and over a long period of time - at +55°C for 20 minutes.
Important! You should not make the water too hot, as you risk cooking the plant, which will eventually kill it!
- Infusion of marigolds. For the strawberry nematode, marigolds are a real poison. The aroma of these plants is very attractive to pests, but the juices of the flower are destructive to them. To prepare the product, 5 kg of raw materials must be filled with 5 liters of water and left for 48 hours in a warm place. We filter the finished infusion and water the infected plants.
- Infusion of calendula officinalis. Add 5 tablespoons of dried raw materials to half a bucket of water (5 l) and leave for at least a day at room temperature. To treat strawberry bushes, we use a ready-made watering agent once every seven days for a long time, to ensure prevention - a couple of times a month.
- Hogweed infusion. In order to prepare the drug, half a kilo of raw materials must be filled with five liters of water. After a day, we filter the infusion and spill the soil under the affected bushes.
Important! Remember that hogweed is a poisonous plant, and therefore all manipulations with it, as well as with an infusion based on it, must be carried out with gloves and avoid contact of the product with the skin and mucous membranes!
- Onion infusion. To prepare it, you should use a baton. Raw materials in the amount of 200 g are crushed and filled with five liters of water. Infected plants are watered with the prepared product every seven days.
- Nasturtium infusion. Pour 300 g of grass into five liters of water, leave for 24 hours, filter and use to water strawberries once a week.
Chemicals against nematodes
Since it is often quite difficult to fight nematodes on strawberries, many gardeners turn to chemicals for help to achieve quick positive results. The most popular are:
- “Heterophos” - the working solution is prepared from 15 g of the substance dissolved in a bucket of water. Plantings are processed at +20°C. Seedlings can be soaked in the same liquid. Excavation work is carried out only a month and a half after using this product.
Important! The drug "Heterofos" is highly toxic, and therefore it is allowed to work with it only in protective equipment: gloves, thick clothing and a respirator!
- “Phosphamtide” - a 0.02% solution of the drug is used for treatment, carried out every 3-5 days.
- "Mercaptophos" - used similarly to "Phosphamtide";
- "Lindane" or "Ruskamin" - used similarly to "Phosphamtide" and "Mercaptophos".
Treatment of strawberries from nematodes: sequence of actions
Treatment of strawberry diseases caused by nematodes is carried out according to the following scheme:
- In the spring we conduct an audit of plantings, inspecting the bushes every week. During the same period, we add fertilizers containing potassium and organic matter. Wood ash shows good results in this case.
- During the entire growing season, we use effective microorganisms and treat the plantings several times with growth stimulants (Epin), the action of which is aimed at strengthening the plant’s immunity.
- We dig up all infected bushes and treat them with hot water.
- After picking the berries, we use chemicals.
- In the fall, we add phosphorus-potassium fertilizers to the soil.
Prevention
In order to prevent the growth of the nematode population, it is first necessary to use clean and healthy planting material. Before purchasing, seedlings should be carefully examined, paying special attention to their root system. However, even without obvious signs of infection, it is advisable to spill the roots with hot water before planting them in the ground.
Maintain crop rotation, changing the permanent location of the strawberries every 4-5 years. This measure will prevent the spread of pests throughout the garden.
On a note! Undesirable neighbors for strawberries are potatoes, tomatoes, celery, cabbage, carrots, peas and beans!
If the area has been infected and you have carried out work to destroy pests, then next year it is advisable to plant certain varieties of strawberries that are resistant to diseases and pests, including nematodes. These include:
- "Granddaughter";
- "Saxon"
- "Pearl";
- "Rocket";
- "Festival";
- "Dessert"
In spring and autumn, thoroughly clean the garden of weeds and plant debris, burning everything collected outside the site. This will allow the destruction of individuals that settled for the winter and were able to survive it.
When planting seedlings, try not to thicken the plantings. Care for them regularly, weed them and thin them from time to time. Thanks to these measures, you can significantly reduce the number of nematodes. Have a good harvest!
