How to identify Fungi

Parasitic fungal infections are the ‘diseases’ that can damage plants, and gardeners should take preventative action.

Fungi cause the majority of plant diseases and are typically characterised by a branching, thread-like mycelial growth. Fungi contain no chlorophyll, and as a result they are dependent on green plants for growth. Fungal diseases are generally difficult to identify, and mechanical damage to plants is sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as a fungus pest. Conditions that favour the development of fungal infections are cool, damp and humid weather. Susceptible plants, such as roses, should be treated once the rains start.

Anthracnose

Description: Appears on leaves as small and irregular yellow, brown, dark-brown or black spots.
Damage caused: The spots can expand and merge to cover the whole affected area, and the colour of the infected part darkens as it ages.
Protect with: Efekto Lawn Fungicide 500EC (Lawns only),Efekto Virikop.

Black spot

Description: Black spots with yellow borders on older leaves.
Damage caused: Leaves turn yellow and fall off. Continue spraying weekly until the fungus is controlled. Preventative treatment is advised.
Protect with: Efekto Rosecare 3, Efekto Funginex, Efekto Virikop, Efekto Rosecare 3RTU, Efekto Kumulus WG.

Brown patch

Description: Blades pull loose easily from the runners.
Damage caused: Blades of the lawn are dying in a circular area. Small spots in lawn grow into large circles or free forms that look bad and weaken the turf but rarely kill the grass.
Protect with: Efekto Lawn Fungicide 500 EC.

Damping off

Description: Seedling collapse after transplanting with no sign of physical insect damage.
Reaction: Poor drainage and overwatering enhances root rot problems caused by soil-borne pathogens.
Protect with: Efekto Virikop.

Dollar spot

Description: Round patches or spots of dead grass. Disease is spread by people walking on the lawn and re-infecting other parts of the lawn.
Location: Lawned areas.
Protect with: Efekto Lawn Fungicide 500 EC.

Downy mildew

Description: Fuzzy growth on leaves or stems. Colour may vary depending on the plant species.
Damage: Results in leaf-drop on roses.
Protect with: Efekto Virikop.

Early and late blight

Description: Brown and black patches with concentric ring patterns on older leaves, as well as pale green spots on leaves, which turn brown to black in colour.
Protect with: Efekto Virikop, Efekto Funginex, Efekto Kumulus WG.

Leaf curl (Peaches / Apricots)

Description: Curling, puckering, swelling and discolouration of mainly older leaves. Take note: curling in younger leaves may be the result of aphid damage.
Protect with: Efekto Virikop (with bud swell), Efekto Lime Sulphur (post pruning).

Leaf spot

Description: Small, water-soaked circular spots 1.6-3.2 mm in diameter first appear on the undersides of older leaves. The centres of the spots are grey or tan, and spots have a dark-brown margin.
Damage: Heavily infected leaves will turn yellow, dry up and drop off. This defoliation will result in sun scalding of the fruit.
Protect with: Efekto Lawn Fungicide 500 EC (only on lawns) and Efekto Virikop.

Powdery mildew

Description: Greyish-white powdery growth on younger parts of plants.
Damage: Causes stunting and shrivelling of leaves.
Protect with: Efekto Funginex, Efekto Lawn Fungicide 500 EC, Efekto Kumulus WG, Efekto Rosecare3, Efekto Rosecare 3 RTU
Natural protection: Efekto Eco Fungimite.

Rust

Description: Red to brown raised spots, usually on undersides of leaves. Causes premature defoliation.
Location: Beans, strawberries and roses are particularly prone to rust.
Protect with: Efekto Funginex, Efekto Kumulus WG, Efekto Rosecare 3, Efekto Virikop.
Natural protection: Efekto Eco Fungimite, Efekto Lawn Fungicide 500 EC (only on lawns).

Soil pathogens

Description: Phytopthora andpythium
Protect with: Efekto Virikop.