Beets are a popular root crop for growing in vegetable gardens. It is easy to care for, grows rapidly. However, even experienced gardeners sometimes encounter such a problem as yellowing of leaves in a plant. About what may cause this, we will describe in the article below.
Why do the leaves of the beet turn yellow, and how to deal with it?
There are many reasons why beet leaves turn yellow: invasion of pests, lack of fertilizing, improper watering, infection with diseases, unsuitable soil or lighting. All of them are caused by mistakes made by a person when planting a crop or when caring for it. Therefore, the success of solving the problem of yellow foliage depends on the identification of these errors, their elimination and prevention in the future.
Important! The problem of yellowing leaves in beets cannot be ignored. The quality, weight and taste of the root crop directly depend on the condition of the foliage. It is important to start treatment at the first symptoms.
Lack of moisture in the soil
This is the most common reason why beet leaves turn yellow. The plant loves moisture, but in moderation. The norm of water is about 15 liters per 1 m² 1-2 times a week. If watering is done less frequently, it is necessary to increase the volume of one watering to 60 liters per 1 m². On hot days you need to water more often. In rainy and cold weather, the frequency and volume of irrigation should be reduced. Water the beets should be at the root, avoiding water on the leaves and stems, so as not to provoke sunburn.
The best time for watering is evening. Water should not be cold. It is advisable to let her pre-settle. To determine if the bed is watered enough, you need to stick a finger into the soil in several places. If it rests on moist soil, then moistening is done correctly. If both the top and the next soil layers are dry, watering should be increased.
Did you know? In addition to juicy root crops, beet tops can be useful for humans. Means based on it help to normalize metabolism, prevent the development of atherosclerosis, improve the condition with gastritis and liver diseases.
In addition to the fact that high-quality and regular watering will prevent the problem of yellow leaves or eliminate it, they will improve productivity - increase it by 2-3 times. If there is often no way to water the beets, then the soil on the bed needs to be mulled. This will keep moisture at the roots. As mulch, mowed grass, straw, peat will do.
Sunny side
Another reason why beets may turn yellow leaves is because the plant is hot. This vegetable crop is thermophilic, therefore it is planted on open, sunny beds, sheltered from the winds. The rays of the sun are necessary for the plant to develop and form brightly colored fruits. But in a dry period, the plant may turn yellow in the sun. At this time, it is important to provide abundant watering so that moisture is sufficient not only on the roots, but also on the foliage.
Nutrient deficiency
Beets are not demanding on the composition of the soil. But the best yields can be achieved by planting it in soil previously pre-fertilized with minerals and organics. In the future, she will also need additional nutrition. Otherwise, there will be an increase in small tops, yellowing and drying of the leaves, and hence the formation of small root crops. Beet top dressing is carried out 2-3 times per season.
For the first time (during the period of formation of 2 leaves), liquid mixtures are introduced - mullein (1: 8), bird droppings (1:12). Then they switch to dry products and organic fertilizers (humus, ash). The second top dressing with the addition of potassium and phosphorus is carried out in the closing phase of the tops. The third - during fruiting. This time a wood ash liquid solution is used (1:10). Salt dressings are useful for beets (1 tbsp. L / 10 l of water).
Important! Before applying fertilizer under the root, beets need to be abundantly watered.
The introduction of sodium is produced at the beginning and end of summer. The use of chemical fertilizers should be avoided, as they are fed root crops, which are eaten. The use of fresh manure is also unacceptable. If you notice that the leaves begin to fade, lengthen, and then turn yellow, then most likely the problem is in nitrogen starvation. It is necessary to make nitrogen-containing fertilizers. But zeal is not necessary - the plant will not tolerate excess nitrogen either.
High acidity of the soil
The soil acidity level for growing beets is 5–8 pH, that is, neutral or slightly alkaline. Therefore, before planting it must be reduced by applying lime or wood ash. If this procedure is not performed, the risk of frequent diseases of the vegetable crop, which are accompanied by yellowing of the leaves, increases.
Disease
If the previous reasons can be eliminated by improving the quality of care, then if a disease occurs, the gardener will need more effort, because he will need drug treatments. In the initial stages, folk remedies are used to treat diseases. But it often happens that the ailment is neglected, has covered a large part of the garden and is threatened with crop loss. In such cases, resort to chemical treatments.
Rust
Rust on beets develops if warm and humid weather lasts a long time. The causative agent is a fungus from the family of basidiomycetes. Its distribution leads to yellowing and death of the leaves, reducing yield and sugar content of fruits. The first symptom is the formation of red spots and pads on the bottom of the leaf plate.
Rust treatment consists in spraying with fungicides:
- “Abacus” (2 times with an interval of a month, consumption - 1.5 l / 1 ha);
- "Alto Super 330" (2 times with an interval of a month, consumption - 0.5 l / 1 ha);
- Amistar Extra 280 (2 times, consumption - 0.5-0.75 l / 1 ha).
Important! When using chemicals, it is necessary to clearly adhere to the instructions for use. Hands should be protected with gloves, eyes with glasses, nose and mouth with a mask, body with protective clothing.
Jaundice
A dangerous viral disease characterized by yellowing of leaves on the lower and middle tiers. The pathogen virus is transmitted with seed, is transmitted by aphids, spreads mechanically. Lives on weeds. Like other viral diseases, jaundice cannot be treated. You can fight it only with preventive measures.
Brown rot
Fungal disease spreads through the soil. Affecting the root crop, the fungus leads to the destruction of the entire plant. Rotten parts are painted in a brown shade. The disease develops in case of crop rotation failure, when planting a plant in a swampy area, with excessive watering and stagnation of moisture.
The disease leads to a decrease in productivity by 20-30%. With the development of brown rot, processing of PCBs (pentachloronitrobenzene) and Olgin is necessary. Before planting, seeds should be disinfected with Tachigaren and soil with Nematocide.
Did you know? Beets began to be cultivated in the II millennium BC. e. It was used for medicinal and nutritional purposes.
Downy mildew
This disease often infects young plants. At the early stage of infection, yellowing and curling of the leaves occurs, then coating with a gray-white coating. The fungus is a pathogen transmitted through soil, seeds, and uterine root crops. Favorable conditions for its reproduction - cool weather against a background of high humidity.
Affected plants are destroyed. Healthy beets are processed with Amistar Extra 280, Acrobat MC. In order to prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to etch the seed with the help of the drug "Apron XL 350".
Cercosporosis
The disease is manifested by the appearance of brown spots with a red border and a gray coating on the leaves, which subsequently turn yellow and dry out. Distributed during the growing season in warm, humid weather. When the first signs appear, they are treated with Bordeaux liquid, copper chloride, Tsinebom, Kaptan. Spraying is stopped no later than 20 days before the collection of root crops.
Blackleg
The disease begins with blackening and decay of the root neck. Then yellowing and drying of the ground organs occurs, most often of the leaves located on the lower tier. The disease develops due to improperly prepared soil, tight fit, excessive moisture, temperature spikes. The treatment of the black leg is performed with the preparations “Colloidal sulfur”, “Fitosporin”, “Bactofit”, “Fundazol”. From folk remedies apply treatment with wood ash, soda solution, eggshell.
Pests
Leaves may turn yellow due to exposure to harmful insects on the plant. Their distribution also most often occurs due to improper agricultural practices.
Beet aphid
A small black insect that feeds on beetroot juices, as a result of which the leaves turn yellow and dry on the plant. In the absence of control measures, the entire plant is depleted and dies. In addition, the parasite can infect the culture with viral diseases.
They struggle with aphids by folk methods, biological pesticides (“Biostop”), organophosphorus compounds (“Glyphosate”, “Chlorophos” and others).
Beetroot flea
It feeds on beetroot leaves. You can find out that a flea has settled on a vegetable crop by looking at the yellowed tips of the leaves and small holes on the leaf plate. Active malicious activity of the parasite begins in July. It is difficult to deal with it, it is easier to prevent the occurrence. To do this, use preventive spraying with infusions of onions, garlic, potatoes, celandine, and also regularly weed weeds. With a strong spread, insecticides Imdor, Kinfos, Tarzan are used.
Beetroot shield
The beetle settles on a swan, and in the absence of food passes to beets. It feeds on foliage. Eats up the entire sheet plate, leaving only streaks. It occurs from April to May. The struggle consists in weeding with the destruction of weeds and treatment with insecticides or a 6–7% solution of barium chloride.
Beet Fly
Larvae cause damage to the plant. They "mine" the leaves on which yellow swollen spots form. With a severe lesion, the leaves turn completely yellow and subsequently dry out. Destroy the larvae with insecticides, 4-5% solution of barium chloride and mechanically.
Prevention
In order not to subsequently look for a cause and not waste time, effort and money on treating a plant, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures:
- Plant in the recommended soil composition.
- Perform autumn harvesting of plant debris.
- To carry out autumn deep digging of the soil.
- Adhere to crop rotation rules and do not plant beets in one place for 2 years, as well as after spinach, chard, garlic, cabbage and next to corn.
- Make timely fertilizers before sowing beets and during its growing season.
- To process planting material before sowing.
- Etch the land on the plot before sowing.
- Plant the plant in a well-lit place.
- Moderately moisten with sun-warmed water.
- Thin out planting on time.
- Regularly weed weeds.
- To repel pests, plant strongly smelling crops in the immediate vicinity.
- To carry out preventive spraying against diseases and insect parasites.
- Attract harmful insects to the garden of natural enemies.
Thus, yellowing of leaves in beets can provoke many factors. To fix the problem, you need to find the cause. It is important to follow recommendations for soil composition, site selection, planting, and agricultural technology. If everything is done correctly, the leaves will not turn yellow.
