Rain, humidity and heat… Fungi, please help

Rains, Humidity and Heat…Please Help. Summer is coming and this year we are having somewhat adverse weather for our plants and crops. All this is due to the fact that 3 factors come together which, separately would not be so problematic, but when they come together they create problems called FUNGI.

We are going to try to help you as much as possible and for this we are going to start by explaining what mushrooms are…

 

What are FUNGI?

 

Fungi in orchards are microscopic organisms that can have a significant impact on plant health and yield. They thrive in favorable conditions, such as humidity and lack of adequate ventilation. Although not all fungi are harmful to plants, some can cause fungal diseases that negatively decrease plant growth and production.

 

Fungi are heterotrophic organisms that obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter. One thing that differentiates them from plants is that they cannot photosynthesize and this is why they depend on other organisms for food, which they spread through spores that are dispersed by air, water or insects.

 

How fungi act on our plants

 

Fungi can act in different ways, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Some fungi can invade plant tissues, causing stains, rotting or necrosis. Other types of fungi release toxins that damage the cell structure of plants. In addition, fungi can weaken the immune system of plants, making them more susceptible to other diseases.

So we have to be especially careful when we get a fungal infestation, as this can kill all our hopes and efforts put into our gardens and plants.

 

How to prevent the appearance of fungus on our plants

 

• Maintain good drainage in the soil, either in soil or in pots to prevent water stagnation.
• We must provide good ventilation in the orchard to reduce humidity. If we create areas that are too dense, they will be possible sources of this disease.
• Avoid excessive watering, since overwatering will favor the growth and proliferation of fungi.
• Regularly remove leaves and plant debris to prevent the spread of spores, in addition to trying to keep leaves away from the soil and wetter areas.
• And it is very important to perform a correct crop rotation, as this will avoid the accumulation of fungal pathogens in the soil.
• We will use products such as horsetail or chitosan . These products are natural and ecological and will help us to prevent the attack of fungi to our plants in a preventive way.

How to act in case of fungal attack

 

• We will make sure to disinfect the tools we use on our plants after each use to avoid the spread of fungi to other healthy plants in our garden or orchard.
• We will do some sanitary pruning to eliminate the affected parts of the plants, these parts if we can we will burn them and never throw them to the compost heap.
• We will apply fungal attack treatments in order to win the battle and eliminate most of the fungal problems.

In Conclusion

 

Fungi on our plants are more common than we think, often being a common challenge for gardeners and farmers, but with proper prevention, treatment and natural control measures, it is possible to maintain a healthy and productive garden.

We must understand what are fungi in orchards and how to act against them, taking the necessary actions to protect your plants and enjoy a successful harvest. We also have to implement strategies and break out of our comfort zone when it comes to fighting them effectively.

Start implementing these strategies today and keep your plants fungus-free in your garden!