Black cancer on an apple tree. Treatment

Garden apple trees can attack a large number of diseases. One of the most unpleasant is the black cancer. This ailment can attack any culture, but it most often affects apple trees. The disease destroys the tree from the inside and spreads very quickly to other plants. Black apple cancer is dangerous precisely because it progresses and spreads very quickly. Within two years, you can lose all vegetation if nothing is done in time.

Black apple cancer: characteristics of the disease

A disease such as black cancer became known many years ago. It is distinguished by a very fast growth rate. If we compare it with human ailments, then a disease such as gangrene is suitable here. At one time, the disease caused the death of a large number of people, since no one was able to cure it. There was only one person who then saved people - this is the monk Anthony. Therefore, now the second name of the black crayfish is "Antonov fire".

Trees affected by this disease look as if they were burnt out. The main culprit of the disease is the marsupial mushroom. Having destroyed part of the tree tissue, the pathogen continues to parasitize on the dead parts. Any part of the tree can be a target.

The worst option is damage to the bark of the tree, which becomes infected through wounds and cracks, as well as other damage to the bark, which is obtained as a result of exposure to frost, strong sunlight and from pests.

Favorable conditions for the mushroom

Positive temperature. The most frequent period of infection is spring. As soon as the air temperature rises above zero, the pathogen begins its active life. The mushroom feels most comfortable in the summer when the air temperature exceeds 20 degrees. And even during extreme heat. Moreover, his spores mature very quickly, in about 6 hours.

The second favorable factor for the development of the disease is poor tree care and their low immunity. In this regard, most often the disease occurs on old weak trees, which are difficult to resist.

Settling on such a tree, the fungus immediately begins to actively multiply. Spores that have matured in high humidity conditions begin to spread rapidly and infect neighboring plants.

If the tree is young and has high immunity, then the disease is quite difficult to attack it, since the ability of the young tree to quickly restore damage prevents the pathogen from entering.

Therefore, the younger the tree, the lower the risk of contracting it with black cancer.

Failure to comply with basic rules for caring for a tree, such as timely pruning and crown formation, processing cuts and wounds, also contributes to easy infection.

Trees that attack insect pests or other infections and fungi, such as powdery mildew or scab, are also at risk of disease. The microclimate in mosses or lichens, which often form on a tree, can be an excellent refuge and home for black cancer pathogens.

Paradoxical as it may seem, too much care can lead to infection.For example, too frequent feeding with mineral and organic fertilizers is fraught with excessive accumulation of nutrients in the soil. This environment is very fond of fungi of various diseases.

Violation of landing rules

If you plant apple trees too often to each other, then the rate of spread of the disease will be much higher, there is a risk of damage to other trees. Therefore, if there is not enough space on the site, then closely planted trees need more careful care. For the same reasons, it is not recommended to plant next to a toilet or waste pit.

Apple black cancer disease, signs

Black apple cancer is dangerous because at the beginning of the disease it is very difficult to see the signs of the disease. Therefore, after the snow melts, it is necessary to very carefully examine each tree in order to discern at least some symptoms of the disease in time.

In the earliest spring, before the buds swell, you should carefully examine the bark for damage, wounds, cracks. You can even take a magnifying glass. If the disease has just struck a tree, then small dots can be seen around the wound.

If the infection has progressed enough, then signs of black cancer will be visible from afar. Large black spots with a purple tint will appear on the branches and trunk. They grow rather quickly, and the bark resembles a burnt tree.

In the affected areas, the tree begins to crack, the bark moves away from the wood and turns out. After that, the wood itself is affected. When the disease is at its last stage, the disease can no longer be stopped, so the tree dies completely. Signs of the last and irreversible phase of the disease is a ring around the trunk or branch.

If the disease affects the flowers, then they become with small brown sores. Then the flower itself loses its shape and turns black.

The signs on the fruits can only be noticed when they are sufficiently grown. Most of all, the disease manifests itself during the ripening of the fruit. Dark spots appear on them. They grow very quickly until blackness completely envelops the entire fruit. The apple turns black, smooth without any blotches and spots.

Dark spots can also be seen on the leaves with cancer. These are the places where the controversy is taking place.

Over time, the spots become larger and larger until they completely cover the entire surface of the leaf. Then the leaf dries up and falls off.

The consequences of damage to various parts of the tree are a poor harvest and low resistance to cold weather. Since if there are not enough leaves, then the tree's immunity will decrease, which is so necessary during severe frosts. Therefore, affected trees often die not from the disease itself, but from the fact that they cannot survive the winter.

What other diseases does black apple cancer look like?

Black apple cancer is dangerous because very often it can be confused with any other common, not so dangerous diseases. For example, the signs of black cancer are very similar to cytosporosis or common cancer. It can also be confused with moniliosis. With this disease, apples also turn black, but a blue tint is noticeable here.

However, despite the similarity of signs, the effect of a burnt tree can be observed only with black cancer. In common cancer, the affected areas are red or brown in color.

During cytosporosis, the wounds have the same round shape, but they turn gray. The bark itself seems to be disheveled.

You can also observe such a phenomenon as bare wood on a tree without bark. This does not mean at all that the black cancer killed the tree. The lack of bark can be due to many reasons. For example, it could have been eaten by a bark beetle or other insect pests living in a tree.

Often, one tree can simultaneously infect several diseases at once. This means that the tree is weak and cannot resist.

Why is apple-tree disease black cancer dangerous for humans?

Due to the fact that the disease "cancer" is similar to the disease of mankind, gardeners are very often frightened and wonder if the disease can be transmitted to human cells. Scientists here answer that people and plants are of a different nature, so this disease cannot spread to the human body. The fruits can be consumed from this tree if they are not affected. The dangerous thing about eating spoiled fruits is poisoning.

Black cancer on an apple tree: treatment

If a few years ago gardeners believed that it was impossible to cure a tree from black cancer, but it was only possible to extend its life by a couple of years, then modern drugs and remedies against this disease can not only stop the spread, but also destroy the colonies of the fungus.

The effect of the treatment will depend on the stage of the disease. If you notice the disease in time, then accordingly it can be stopped and the tree can be cured. However, if you see signs of extreme disease, the tree is likely to die. Therefore, for the treatment of black cancer, it is necessary to use various procedures and tools in combination.

Before starting treatment for a tree, all affected areas of the trunk, branches, leaves, flowers or fruits should be cleaned. Then all removed diseased parts must be burned. If you notice the disease at the last stage, then such a tree must also be completely cut down and burned. In this case, it is important to remove as many parts of the root system as possible.

If the infection has spread to the branches, even if they are the main ones, they should still be cut down, since they are unlikely to be saved.

If spots are found on the bark, then it is necessary to cut off the diseased areas, even slightly larger than the affected area. All removed tissue must be incinerated.

After you have done the stripping, you need to disinfect all wounds. For this, various antiseptic preparations are used. For example, a solution of copper sulfate at a concentration of 100 grams per bucket of water. You can use potassium permanganate, brilliant green or a solution of ferrous sulfate.

After the wounds are disinfected, it is necessary to ensure that the wound does not come into contact with air and moisture. To do this, you can process them with oil paint, garden varnish or drying oil.

Wound healing

A disease such as black apple cancer multiplies and spreads by spores. Therefore, cleaning and processing the visible areas of the lesion is indispensable here. It is necessary to act on all spores that have already sufficiently spread to the leaves and even to the soil.

The trunk and all branches of the tree should also be treated with an antiseptic. Fungicides or products containing copper are perfect for this.

In addition, it is necessary to process the entire area with the help of special preparations against the fungus.

Any digging of the ground near the trees at this time is prohibited, since there is a risk of small wounds and cracks in the roots, where the spore can get. Only slight loosening and obligatory processing of the earth with fungicides is allowed.

How to treat black apple cancer with folk remedies

In addition to chemicals, it is also recommended to use folk remedies to treat black cancer.

In order to disinfect wounds, you can use salt water with iodine, a soapy solution is suitable, the juice of fresh sorrel works effectively. To close the wound from air and water, clay mixed with mullein, cooked in a one-to-one ratio, works well. It should be noted that the layer should be at least 10 cm. Then the damaged area should be covered again.

Further, the affected area should be periodically moistened with heteroauxin in a proportion of 2 tablets per bucket of water.

A mixture of rosin wax and nigrol is also suitable for insulation.All funds are taken in equal proportions, mixed with clay, which must first be soaked for 4 hours, and then kneaded.

It will be safer if you apply not one layer, but 3 protective layers. In this case, it is necessary to maintain the drying time before applying each subsequent layer.

Black apple crayfish can also be cured with ordinary garden soil. It is necessary to moisten the soil, treat it with fungicides, and then spread a crack on it. This method is complicated by the fact that after the rain, this event should be repeated over and over again.

Among experienced gardeners, a method is also popular when they take a separate section of the bark, which, along the contours, will cover the damaged cleaned area on the tree. Further, the damaged area is closed with this bark, then the trunk must be bandaged and a garden pitch must be applied.

Other treatment options

In addition to drugs against fungi, as well as antibacterial drugs, a solution of potassium permanganate is also used effectively.

It can be effective if the disease is at an early stage and the tissues of the tree are not yet too damaged. The solution is prepared at the rate of 2-4 grams, diluted in a bucket of water. It should be noted that the container must be plastic or glass.

The resulting solution should be used to treat the branches and trunk that are affected. It is necessary to apply the solution in such a way that the wood is properly saturated and the spores are washed away.

After the branches have been processed, it is necessary to carry out more processing of the crown, carefully falling on each leaf and each fruit.

Those who grow apple trees in nurseries use fertilizers containing manganese for the same purpose. By adding about 4 kg of the substance, gardeners thereby protect plants from cancer. In addition, the soil is prophylactically treated.

Black apple cancer: antibiotic use

Antibiotic treatment for black apple cancer is very popular in Europe, where drugs containing copper are rarely used. But antibiotics are often used, which is not the case in Russia.

Antibiotics such as streptomycin and tetracycline are suitable for treatment. They can be supplied in powder, ampoule, or tablet. Antibiotic treatment is started after all wounds have been cleaned and disinfected.

It is necessary to dilute the drugs at the rate of 1 g per 5 liters of water. Trees are treated with the resulting solution at the beginning of summer, and the treatment is repeated a couple more times every two or three weeks.

If suddenly after processing a large amount of precipitation has fallen or dry weather is established, the processing is carried out again.

Some gardeners use a different antibiotic therapy regimen. The preparations are diluted in 5 liters of water, in 4 liters, and in 3 liters, respectively, for each treatment. The interval between procedures must be maintained for 5 days.

The next year the antibiotic is changed. Using tetracycline, it is diluted at the rate of two tablets per 5 liters of water.

Experts note that antibiotics are more environmentally friendly means of fighting diseases, as opposed to chemicals. These formulations contain less harmful substances.

How to fight black apple cancer with injections

Streptomycin is also given by injection to treat black apple cancer. The procedure must be carried out during the growing season. Having retreated about a meter from the surface of the ground, a 2 cm hole should be drilled in the trunk. It is important to choose such a section of the trunk so that there are no wounds and cracks or other damage to the bark nearby, in order to prevent the drug from leaking out. A hose must be inserted into the resulting hole. Subsequently, the antibiotic will flow through this hose.

A special system has been developed for wood injection. With the help of it, a 4% solution of streptomycin is injected into the tree. After the solution is injected, it is necessary to close the injection site with a previously prepared stopper.

The injection must be placed not only in the trunk, but also in each branch, which is more than 15 cm thick. In this case, the place for drilling should be chosen, retreating about 30 cm from the place of regrowth.

The funds entered will act on approximately 3 m of timber. This therapy is applied about 5 times, waiting for a time period of about 7 days between treatments. Applying injection treatment, apple tree stripping and pruning is carried out after treatment.

Other means of influence

In general, all the drugs with which they are trying to cure black apple cancer are divided into 3 types, based on the mechanisms of action.

• Preparations that need to be treated with wounds;
• Substances that will fight spores;
• Special means to increase the protective forces of the tree.

Depending on which group the drug belongs to, and it should be applied in a certain way.

The affected areas are treated with antifungal and disinfecting agents.

Using means to remove all spores, it is necessary to process not only the diseased tree, but also the entire area completely.

To increase the body's defenses of the apple tree, you should use special fertilizers and feeding compounds. They can water the ground around the trunk, you can add them to the planting holes during planting and carry out foliar treatments, which, by the way, are more effective.

Preparations that basically contain copper: this is copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture, oxychom.

All these funds are used for antiseptic treatment of wounds. Indeed, the copper included in their composition has a negative effect on the growth of mushrooms. In addition, the means can be used to process both leaves and stems of a tree. Copper not only inhibits the development of the fungus, but also additionally feeds the apple tree, contributing to better fruiting.

Now such drugs as Fitosporin, Gamair, Fundazol, Topaz, Skor, Impact and many others are very popular. The above means are used for spraying the ground, as well as the crown of the tree.

These drugs are used to treat not only black cancer, but also other common diseases, both fungal and bacterial infections.

Using fungicides, you can protect and also cure a plant from a whole range of diseases, such as scab, rust, cytosporosis, powdery mildew, as well as common cancer.

In order to prevent the occurrence of various fungal diseases, it is allowed to use fungicides during the ripening season. In order to defeat black apple cancer, it is imperative to use drugs against insect pests that weaken the tree's immunity.

Freed from the attack of pests, as well as various pathogenic organisms, the tree finds a lot of strength to fight black cancer.

The above agents are suitable for use as putties for treating wounds and cracks in wood. The most environmentally friendly products are those based on bacteria. These include Gamair, Alirin and Fitosporin. When used as a putty, they must be mixed with clay, mullein, and earth.

Separately, here we can say about Fitosporin. Fitosporin comes in a variety of flavors, one of which is paste. In this case, the drug, which effectively fights bacteria and fungus, does not need to be mixed with astringents, since it itself can be used as a putty. This paste is applied to the wound after stripping.

The composition of the preparation and its consistency make it possible to distribute the paste evenly over the entire wound. In this case, the wound will not only be protected from the effects of air and moisture, but Fitosporin will also exert its therapeutic effect.

Currently, funds have been created that can act as a replacement for the affected areas of the cortex.

For example, artificial bark.However, you should be careful and use this tool first on some other affected area of ​​unnecessary culture.

It is noted that such drugs impede the free passage of air, therefore, they can lead to rotting of the trunk inside. The tree itself constantly emits a certain amount of its own moisture, which will linger under the artificial bark, while creating conditions for the development of fungal diseases.

In developed countries of Europe, such fungicides are very popular, which contain most of carbendazim and methyl thiophanate. The most famous are Funaben and Topsin M.

Funaben. It is a systemic drug that has a contact effect, manufactured in Poland. The agent is used against fungal diseases. It is sold in five-liter canisters and in smaller vials as a concentrate. With solutions prepared from this product, it is necessary to treat damaged areas and open wood.

It should be borne in mind that processing must be carried out in dry weather to achieve a good result. In addition to treating wounds, the crown can also be treated with the drug.

In addition to treating fungal diseases, this remedy is used prophylactically against insects - pests and other infections.

In Russia, this drug is used extremely rarely, since it contains hormones in its composition.

Topsin M... It also works systemically and is used as a pre-flowering and post-flowering treatment.

The mechanism of action of this drug occurs from the roots to the crown. The drug has a depressing effect on fungi and spores during the first day. The tool is released in the form of a powder and a concentrated emulsion.

Feeding

If the tree has good immunity, then you should not worry about the occurrence of such a disease as black apple cancer.

In order to prevent and to increase the protective forces of the tree, feeding should be done with the following fertilizers. Superphosphate, urea, potassium salt and nitrate, ammonium sulfate.

Preparations containing organic matter are very effective. This is Baikal EM1. It contains microorganisms that need preliminary preparation. Since the microorganisms that make up the drug are in a dormant state, the fermentation process should be organized.

To do this, this product should be dissolved in boiled water at a temperature of 23 - 24 degrees. Then you need to add one tablespoon of honey, jam or sugar per liter of the resulting solution.

Further, the container with the solution must be removed to a place protected from light, where the air temperature will be 30-35 degrees, and kept there for 10 days, stirring occasionally. Then the trees are processed with the resulting composition. As a result, the damaged bark is restored, and the plant's defenses are increased in order to independently resist various diseases and pests.

Methods of treatment with pharmaceutical preparations

There are those gardeners who actively use antifungal agents developed to treat a disease in humans. For example, Nystatin.

However, questions arise here, since it has been proven that fungal diseases occur in completely different ways in plants and in the human body. The drug given as an example above has a detrimental effect on candida fungi, which develop precisely in the human body at its temperature and the conditions of the existence of the fungus.

Since the candida fungus cannot grow on the apple tree, the drug Nystatin is therefore completely useless here in its application. It is better to buy and use those drugs that are designed to combat diseases and fungi that arise specifically on plants, in this case on an apple tree.

Black apple cancer - disease therapy

It is necessary to prune trees and form a crown only when the plant is in a dormant mode and the sap flow is very slow. If this rule is neglected, then the cuts and cuts will not be able to dry out for a long time. This means that all spores and bacteria that are nearby will be dangerous for the tree.

Therefore, if there is an epidemic of black cancer or other ailments in a garden partnership or in nearby areas, then it is better not to touch healthy trees at all, even sanitary pruning is prohibited.

So, returning to the timing of the treatment, it should be noted that the cleaning is carried out in early spring, or it is permissible later in the fall, after the harvest and foliage fall.

It is optimal to start treatment early in the spring, before the buds swell, then after the buds have opened up. The next processing is done before flowering, then after flowering and after harvesting the fruits and falling leaves. This scheme is also suitable for treating black cancer wood during treatment.

Prevention methods

A disease such as black apple cancer is very difficult to recognize and even more so to cure. Therefore, it is best to prevent the onset of the disease. This means that you should carefully monitor that the surrounding conditions and environment do not become suitable and favorable for pathogens.

Distance must be maintained when planting apple trees. When choosing a place, you should take into account how wide the crown of an adult tree will grow in the future. It is necessary that adult apple trees do not interfere with each other and do not touch the branches.

You should also carefully examine the seedlings when buying. Not only the aerial part of the plant should be of interest, but also the root system should be healthy and clean without signs of damage.

You should also plant those varieties of apple trees that are suitable for growing in a particular region, subject to temperature conditions. Such plants will take root better and have a higher immunity not only to black cancer, but also to other diseases.

The main characteristic of the variety should be winter hardiness. In regions where the climate is milder and the change of seasons is not so drastic, black cancer can only threaten old, sick and weak trees. In regions where severe winters and sudden temperature changes prevail, any tree can become a victim of the disease.

You should follow the simple rules of agricultural technology and take proper care of the plant, not excluding the regular formation of the crown and feeding the apple trees.

After each trimming, it is necessary not to leave open cuts and cuts, and also to disinfect every tool that has been used.

What varieties are not afraid of black apple cancer

The right choice of apple varieties is also one of the preventive measures for a dangerous disease. There are no varieties that are not at all susceptible to disease. However, there are varieties that are more immune to black cancers.

Apple varieties that are more resistant to disease:

• summer - Papirovka, Alva.
• autumn resistant varieties: Borovinka, Autumn joy, Freedom.
• winter resistant varieties: Bolotovskoe, Jonathan, Zarya Alatau, Stoykoe, Kharalson.

Varieties that are more susceptible to black cancer infection: Alyy Anis, Antonovka, Wanda, Wilhelm, Pamyat Kovalenko, Raika, Renet gold, Slava Primorya, Champion. And also Banana, Antey, Orlik, Spartan, Rubin, Pinova, Alesya, Pikant, Redfrey.

Conclusion

Black apple cancer is a serious disease that requires immediate treatment. The effect of the treatment will depend on the stage of the apple tree disease. Currently, there are many ways and drugs to combat this ailment, but the best of them is the tree's own immunity. His protective forces, which are formed by adhering to agricultural techniques and simple rules for caring for an apple tree.

If it was not possible to save the garden, then it is advisable to remove all plantings along with the roots, burn them and wait a couple of years when the earth is cleared of spores and all pathogens. Then it will be possible to grow new young seedlings.