How to deal with fungal diseases in vegetables, leafy plants

Fungal disease is a common threat experienced by farmers in raising vegetables and other leafy plants. According to just4growers.com, an agri-solution platform, some of the common fungal diseases that affect plants are:

-Powdery mildew which appears like a greyish powder on either side of leaves, stems, fruits or flowers. It has the appearance of sprinkled powder on the plant.

While some plants are more susceptible to the disease than others, plants are in a higher risk when they are undergoing vegetative growth. In addition, plants exposed to high levels of Nitrogen during this stage are at a greater risk of powdery mildew.

-Botrytis, otherwise known as Botrytis blight or grey mould, is another fungal disease that can devastate both annuals and perennials. It may affect flower petals and buds causing them to decay and rot.

-Rust is a fungal disease which forms rust-orange pustules on the undersides of leaves.

Similarly, gardentech.com reports that in black spot disease, dark spots are seen on the upper sides of leaves and not on the undersides.

A point to note is that generally, fungal diseases thrive on weak plants under cool, damp, overcrowded and or water-logged conditions. This implies that they are more prevalent in greenhouses and indoor gardens.

As reported by Pennsylvania State University’s website, organic extracts that are used in control of powdery mildew include potassium bicarbonate, sulphur and potassium silicate, while organic extracts for the control of Botrytis are copper and potassium silicate.

Neem oil is also a good organic fungicide to use.

However, an easy proven way to prevent powdery mildew according to growjourney.com is making a mixture of milk (30 per cent) and water (70 per cent) and spraying it evenly on the leave surface of affected plants. This should be done during morning hours of a sunny day.

For inorganic control of fungal diseases, appropriate fungicides should be used.

Good management practices like use of resistant varieties, removal and destruction of all infected plants and good farm hygiene should be practiced.

Avoid splashing water on the leaves, as this can help spread rust.