Seedlings need proper and high-quality care: from moderate watering, feeding and lighting with special lamps. However, even with the most careful care of seedlings, there is a possibility of various pests and pathogens appearing on them. Root rot and black leg are the most dangerous of them. Next, we will talk about how to protect seedlings from these diseases.
Root rot
Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, cabbage are most affected by it. The symptoms of this disease are as follows: the leaves begin to turn yellow from the lower side, after which they dry up. Dark stripes appear on the stem, and sometimes even cracks, the lower part of which also begins to darken. If the seedlings are grown in a room with high humidity, fungal spores may appear on the plant – they look like fluffy white or pink outer shells.
How to struggle?
Most often, plants get sick with this disease on acidic soils. This mostly applies to sowing seeds in the garden and growing seedlings in the greenhouse, where the soil is used for a long time. In the conditions of an apartment or house, the causative agent of this disease develops with excessive humidity, as well as if you “overfed” the seedlings with nitrogen and organic fertilizers.
To protect seedlings from root rot, acidic soils must be limed. Do not allow an excess of nitrogen and do not water the seedlings. Get rid of diseased seedlings that cannot be saved in time.
Black leg
Black leg can affect any culture. However, unlike root rot, it is easier to deal with.
The signs of this disease are as follows: the seedlings begin to turn yellow, wither, the stems in the soil layer turn black, forming streaks – these are all the main symptoms.
How to struggle?
If you see at least one of the above signs, stop watering the plants for the next few days. A small amount of ash is applied to the affected areas, clean dry river sand is sprinkled around the plants. In the future, such seedlings should be watered only with warm water
