The poor cucumber plant! The list of pathogens that plague them is really long. Angular leaf spot is one of those bacterial diseases that rob us of our crops. It's certainly not an appetizing sight, but it all starts with angular leaf spots.
What is the cause and how can you combat leaf spot on cucumbers?
Leaf spot disease on cucumbers is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. Lachrymans causes and manifests itself in angular, yellow-brown spots on leaves and fruits. Control is not possible, so the affected plant should be removed and stringent preventative measures such as watering without leaf moistening should be followed.
Leaf spot disease: the symptoms
The green cucumber fruits are no longer edible if leaf spot disease has a firm grip on the mother plant. It first spreads to the leaves and triggers changes that do not remain hidden for long:
- small angular spots appear first
- yellow and slightly translucent
- Spots get bigger and browner
- Stains dry out and fall out
- bacterial slime is often visible on the underside of leaves
- Fruits get mushy, dark spots
- white dot in the middle of the spots secretes bacterial mucus
Causes of the disease
The bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. Lachrymans causes angular leaf spot disease. It is usually brought into the bed via the seeds. High humidity and temperatures above 24 degrees Celsius promote the progression of the infection.
Combat
The square leaf spot cannot be effectively controlled. Neither home remedies nor chemicals can stop the disease. The cucumber harvest must be abandoned, but not without banishing the pests from the garden as much as possible. To do this, the affected cucumber plant must be completely removed from the vegetable patch.
- Do not compost plant residues
- dispose of with residual waste
- Disinfect secateurs
- also used care tools
- Clean clothes, shoes thoroughly
Prevention
Prevention is not easy because the microscopic bacteria are difficult to detect on the seeds. Look for cucumber seeds that appear he althy on the outside. Stripping with warm water and garlic can also remove any adhering pathogens from the seeds.
Do not wet the leaves of cucumber plants when watering, as moisture promotes this disease. Also water in the morning so that excess moisture evaporates from the sun's heat during the day.
Observe crop rotation
This pathogen can survive in the soil for several years even without a host plant. You should therefore not grow any more cucumbers in this area for the next three years. Since all pumpkin plants suffer equally from this leaf spot disease, all other varieties in the family should also take a break on the bed for three years.
Resistant varieties
Some resistant cucumber varieties are available on the market. If you are constantly struggling with this disease, growing these strains could be the only solution. Ask for it in stores.
