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Black currant is rightfully considered a favorite of gardeners. Its berries are a valuable source of vitamins (C, B, P), as well as minerals and organic acids. The main feature of the fruit is that it retains up to 80% vitamin C in its juice, even after six months of storage. That's why currants have won universal love. This shrub is easy to care for, but is sometimes affected by rust. The disease is caused by fungi. Unsightly brown spots from leaves quickly spread to different parts of the plant, which leads to dehydration and death of the currant. There are many ways to remove rust from currants, but the main thing is not to start the disease.
Types of rust
To many gardeners, rust on currants seems the same. But there are several types of this disease. Each type has its own differences and time of damage to the plant.
Rust on currants can be:
- Glass-shaped. At risk are currant bushes growing near coniferous trees. The fungal spores first settle on them: they fall on the branches and over time penetrate under the bark, where they begin to multiply.In spring, the bark becomes covered with growths in the form of bubbles, which turn into red spots. And then the currants are also affected by the spores. Currant cup rust (pictured) is carried by wind and insects. The most dangerous time begins in May and lasts until the first half of June.
- Columnar. Yellow spots appear on the upper part of the leaves, and on the reverse side the leaf blade is dotted with orange specks, which contain fungal spores. You should be especially careful in July and August.
Causes of rust
A favorable environment for fungus is a moist and warm environment. If the summer is dry, currants are rarely affected by rust. The disease spreads quickly in low-lying areas with dense plantings.
Sources of rust spores can also be:
- Leaf aphid. The inside of the leaf is covered with microscopic black dots. Insects suck the juice from the plant, depriving it of vitality. The leaf blades are covered with brown tubercles. The bushes slow down in growth and soon die.
- Spider mite. The pest also settles on leaves. Gradually they become covered with rust-colored blisters. The disease discolors the leaves and they fall off.
- Currant gall midge. This pest lays eggs on currants. Soon, rust spores infect the entire bush.
Signs of rust on black currants
The condition of the bushes must be carefully monitored. Regular inspection of foliage and branches will help quickly identify rust spores, preventing them from spreading to the entire plant. Alarm bells include yellowing of currant leaves and the appearance of red spots and stripes on them.
Why is rust on currants dangerous?
During the cold season, the pathogen does not manifest itself. The spores overwinter near the currant bush without appearing in any way. When the weather becomes humid and warm, the fungus becomes more active. Rust gradually affects the entire bush.
The harmful effects are manifested:
- Excessive loss of leaves. In summer, the plant loses ¼ of its crown, and in autumn the leaves fall off completely.
- Almost no new shoots appear.
- Productivity is reduced by half.
- The bush's immunity is greatly weakened. The plant becomes vulnerable to disease and frost.
- Without proper treatment, currants cannot be saved.
How to deal with rust on currants
A disease noticed in time is a guarantee that the bush can be cured. Various means are used to treat rust on currants. Special chemicals are sold in stores. But you can also use old folk methods.
Chemicals
The following remedies help cure currants from rust:
- Previkur (15 ml / 10 l of water). A popular fungicide with a broad effect. The drug protects not only from rust on white currants, but also from root rot. In addition, it acts as a powerful growth stimulator and strengthens the immune system. Water is poured into the preparation in a thin stream and stirred thoroughly.
- Speed Refers to contact fungicides. It is used for preventive purposes, as well as for the treatment of both indoor and garden plants. The product is convenient because it can be used even at the flowering or fruiting stage.It fights rust most effectively at an early stage. Before use, Skor is diluted in water (2 ml / 5 l).
- Fitosporin. Successfully fights against any type of fungus and bacteria. Available in paste, powder or liquid form. The drug does not affect fruit set and quality. To prepare a solution for currants, you need to dilute 5 g of the substance in 10 liters of water. Treat currants against rust on the leaves only when there is no sun. Under sunlight, the active ingredient quickly disintegrates.
- Topaz. The drug inhibits the germination of rust spores, which means that the fungus is not capable of further reproduction. The composition is quickly absorbed and can be used in rainy weather. It is also resistant to high temperatures. To prepare the solution you will need a 10-liter container of water and 4 ml of product.
- Bordeaux mixture. The most effective measure in the fight against rust on red currants. It is an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide and copper sulfate (100 g of each substance + 10 liters of water). Bushes are sprayed with this composition during the budding period. The procedure is carried out only 3 times with an interval of three weeks.
- Cuproxat. This drug is a copper-containing drug. It fights fungi well, penetrating spores and destroying them. Take 50 ml of the drug per 10 liters of water and spray with this solution.
Treatment of currants against rust in the spring has its own characteristics. To get a positive effect, you need to follow some rules. So, all parts affected by the disease are cut off from the bush. Branches and leaves should be immediately raked into a pile and burned. Otherwise, the spores will penetrate the ground and re-infection will occur. Holes need to be made in the soil to drain excess moisture.
Traditional methods
Those who have a negative attitude towards chemicals try to get rid of rust on currant bushes with the following means:
- Baking soda. Powder (2 tablespoons) is combined with liquid soap (3 tablespoons) and mixed thoroughly in 5 liters of water. When all components are completely dissolved, the liquid is poured onto the bush.
- Manure. Ordinary mullein is also used as a means to combat rust. A 10-liter bucket is filled one third with manure and completely filled with water on top. The mixture is infused for three days. Afterwards it is diluted in a ratio of 1:10. The solution is ready for use.
- Garlic. A glass of peeled cloves is poured with 2 liters of water and left for three days. Next, the solution is filtered and sprayed on currant leaves. It is also useful to plant this crop near currant bushes. Essential oils contained in garlic repel many pests.
- Dairy products. Homemade whey, kefir or yogurt are suitable. For 1 part of dairy products there are 10 parts of clean water. Treatment is carried out only in the evening or on cloudy days.
Agrotechnical measures
There are different ways to protect currants from rust on the leaves. First of all, you should not plant bushes in close proximity to coniferous trees. The second step is to get rid of the sedge on the site. Approximately 0.5 km of adjacent land must be cleared. The soil should always be sufficiently loose and well-groomed.
Preventive actions
The best way to combat rust on currant leaves is prevention.
A number of simple steps will help keep currant bushes healthy:
- Leaves that have fallen from bushes should be burned immediately.
- The space around the currants should be regularly cleared of weeds.
- The soil is loosened approximately twice a year.
- In autumn and spring, the soil must be dug up.
- Shoots that are more than five years old are pruned. The cut sites are treated with special antiseptic agents.
- A complex of fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus will help strengthen the plants.
- Before the buds open, you can heat the currants. 3 liters of boiling water poured onto the bushes will provide reliable protection against various types of fungi.
Resistant varieties
There are some currant varieties that successfully resist rust:
- Katyusha. It is a tall, medium-branched bush with pubescent leaves. The berries are large and tasty, with a small amount of seeds. The skin is dense and glossy. The variety is resistant to diseases and frosts and produces high yields.
- Grace. It is distinguished by juicy, tasty fruits and fairly early ripening. This variety has strong immunity and is rarely affected by pests (powdery mildew and bud mites).
- Black veil. Tall bushes, decorated with a scattering of beautiful large berries. The fruits ripen early and tolerate drought well. Currants delight with a bountiful annual harvest.
- Belarusian sweet. Ball-shaped bushes look very aesthetically pleasing.Every year, basal shoots emerge from the base. Mature bushes develop powerful roots. The fruits tend to change color: from a greenish tint to a deep purple tone. The taste is sweet with pronounced sourness. The fruits are resistant to diseases and pests. They must not be allowed to over-ripe.
- Semiramis. Valued for its very large and tasty berries. The shrub is not affected by rust and is resistant to powdery mildew. It will delight you with excellent harvests and incredibly large fruits reminiscent of cherries.
The listed varieties are hybrids. Initially, they have strong immunity. Due to errors in care, plants often weaken and become easy prey for pests that carry fungal spores. You can get rid of them using any of the methods described above.
Conclusion
The easiest way to remove rust from currants is with chemicals. Modern means effectively destroy fungi without harming the crop. The berries remain clean and do not lose their properties. Some gardeners are skeptical about chemicals. You can also deal with rust using natural means. The main thing is to choose the safest and most effective from the offered range.
Currant is a real healer. It helps resist colds and has a beneficial effect on the heart, blood composition and lymphatic system. The leaves make a delicious and tonic tea. You can get the maximum benefit and taste only from healthy bushes. Proper agricultural practices and careful soil care will help protect black, white and red currants from rust on the leaves.
