How to prevent common plant diseases during monsoon
Whether you are new to gardening or an expert, growing your own food and sharing it is a wonderful experience. But sometimes, pesky diseases sneak into your garden and ruin all your hard work, especially during the monsoon. Fear not! We are here to help you identify and tackle common plant diseases that pop up when the rain comes pouring down.
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a common disease that happens a lot during the rainy season. It starts with a powdery residue appearing on the surface of plants, and as it progresses, the leaves begin to wither and fall off prematurely. To combat powdery mildew when sunlight is limited, a recommended approach is to apply neem oil and synthetic fungicides to the affected plant's surface.
Anthracnose
It is a type of fungi that affects the leaves by creating dark spots on them, causing the plant to droop and die. To stop this disease, it's best to remove the infected parts of the plants before the rainy season begins. This way, you can protect your plants from the harmful effects of fungi and ensure their health and safety.
Damping
Damping is a condition that affects seedlings and is caused by certain types of fungi found in the soil. This problem is common in nursery-grown seedlings, especially when excessive organic manures are used. The symptoms of damping become more severe when the soil is overly moist. To prevent damping, it is best to plant the seeds in a raised bed with good drainage.
Leaf spots
Leaf spots are a common problem that can affect various fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. They are caused by fungi and bacteria. These spots can harm the plants and make it difficult for fruits and flowers to grow properly. To treat leaf spots, you can spray fungicides on the plants two to three times every two weeks while they are growing.
Fire blight
Fire blight, a type of blight disease, targets trees that bear larger fruits such as pears and apples. It shows similar symptoms to other blight diseases, causing fruits to drop prematurely. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization and heavy pruning, since these practices can make succulent tissues more susceptible. If you have trees prone to fire blight, keep fungicides nearby to treat the disease.
