Do you have an avocado at home? Have you been one of those who has managed to remove the avocado plant from a bone and now you enjoy a plant that you pamper and do not want anything to happen to it? So it is important that you know what the avocado diseases to prevent them and, above all, to know how to act against them.
Next, we are going to talk to you about each one of them so that you know what characteristics it has, how it affects the avocado and what you can do to defeat it and help your plant to recover. Go for it!
The worst avocado diseases
Talking about each and every avocado disease, as well as its pests, could be endless, because it is a crop that, unfortunately, is beset by multiple pests and diseases. But we can tell you what they are the most common and the worst so you know how to act.
Phytophthora cinnamomi
It is very likely that you have not heard this disease by that name, which is the organism that attacks it, but you will be familiar with the so-called "avocado sadness." It is a problem that mainly affects the roots of the tree and can occur at any time.
This is due to an oomycetes, an organism that produces a liquid, chestnut ink, attacking the roots. Through them it goes up to the center of the tree and it dies without remedy.
What will you notice in the avocado tree? Well, you will not see the rotten roots, but you will begin to notice a chlorosis in the leaves, they stop, do not grow and also turn yellow. There will also be defoliation, because the leaves will be falling and, from the top, you will notice that the tree has stopped and that it seems to be dying.
Can it be saved? Yes, although it is seen as one of the worst diseases of avocado, the truth is that it can be saved. For this you can use fungicides that attack this fungus. Another option is self-defense inducers, that is, fertilizers that give you the necessary nutrients to fight this disease. Many apply both remedies to further strengthen the tree.
Peduncle Ringing
We go with another of the avocado diseases, one affects not only the tree, but also those farmers who have enormous economic losses when this happens.
It is a problem that occurs when the fruit is developing. What happens to him? Well, because it is attached to a peduncle, that causes the fruit to have a circular lesion, at the point of union with it.
The problem is that It can cause, not only that the fruit falls before, but aesthetically it is not "pretty" and those fruits are not sold.
To avoid this, the only thing that you can be aware of is the fruits to catch them in time and prevent that ring from forming.
Anthracnose
This avocado disease is caused by another fungus. Its about Colletotrichum glosporoides and above all it attacks the youngest specimens, as well as the shoots, fruits, branches and flowers.
What does it cause? You will see that the avocado tree begins to have black spots and wounds, so deep that it can often rot where it is. In the case of the fruit, it appears when it is developing, and can be between 0,5 and 3 centimeters. At the beginning these spots are a bit sunken, but as time goes by, if no remedy is applied, the spots get bigger and join with each other ending up with the fruit. The same goes for the avocado.
It can be cured? Yes, but first you have to know that the reason why this fungus makes its appearance is due to high humidity. So one of the first actions is to stop irrigation. Then it will be necessary to apply fungicides that are rich in copper, such as sulfur, copper oxychloride, etc. that attack the fungus. It is important to carry out the pruning of the leaves, branches and part of the tree that have symptoms of the disease to nip the problem at its roots and not to go further.
Scab
Scab is caused by the fungus Sphaceloma persea and attacks especially the stems, leaves and fruits (this at any time of its development).
What happens to the avocado tree? Well you will see that the leaves are turning light brown, and they start to get into the shape of a spoon. In the case of fruits, you will see round and irregular light brown wounds, as if they have a cork texture, and that they are sticking out. When several join together they form a kind of crust.
Can it be removed? Yes, for this, copper fungicides are used before the tree blooms. Another action is to prune the tree to allow it to have more air intake and to be ventilated.
Black spot
Caused by the fungus Cercospora purpura CookeThis attacks especially the leaves, causing them to fall off the avocado. In the case of the fruits, it will not only cause them to have dark spots on the skin, but it will also be capable of tearing the rind and they are not suitable for commercialization.
What does it cause? On the leaves, you will see that they begin to turn brown, at the tips, and that stain spreads until it completely covers the sheet and finally throws it away. On the fruits, brown or black spots with irregular edges, which sometimes open the avocado skin.
It can be cured? Yes, through copper-based fungicides.
Downy mildew
Let's go with another one of the avocado diseases. In this case it is one that affects many other trees and crops, the mildew disease, also called white powder.
What does it cause? You will see that a white stain, as if it were dust. The problem is that it begins to attack the leaves, causing them to roll up on themselves and deform. The next step is that irregular black spots appear. The flowers and fruits fall and the tree is no longer productive.
Does it have a cure? Yes, in addition to the copper-based fungicides, you also have the nitrophenol-based ones, which help not only to fight against the disease, but also to prevent it.
Laurel wilt
Although it is strange, by the name of this disease, we must tell you that yes, it does not only affect the laurel, but also the avocado. The culprit of all is a fungus, Raffaelea sp. which is responsible for preventing the flow of water. That is, it prevents the tree from nourishing itself, in such a way that the leaves begin to wither.
What do you notice in the avocado tree? You will see that the plant begins to have brown or red spots on the leaves and that no matter how much you water it, the tree has all the symptoms of dehydration.
It can be cured? No… In this case, if a tree has the disease and is already rotting, it is best to cut it down and burn it. so that it will not affect other trees. What can be done is to try to stop the spread of ragweed beetles, which are the ones that spread the fungus through the branches and leaves of the avocado.
Avocado also suffers from pests
In addition to the avocado diseases that we have mentioned, there are the pests, which are equal to or more dangerous than those we have seen.
These are:
- The Mediterranean fruit fly.
- Thrips.
- Ambrosial beetles.
- The screwworm.
- Mealybugs.
Do you know more avocado pests and diseases?