Cabbages can fall dupe to an regalia of disease from all of the major classes of pathogens – fungi , body of water mold , bacteria , and viruses .
The infection can range in severity from the unsightly but not commonly calamitous , such aspowdery mould , to the almost uniformly fatal bacterial delicate rot .
Some of these pathogens live in the stain where they can promptly round the solution of your crop , and many others lurk in the cruciferous weeds growing nearby .
Photo by Elizabeth Bush, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org.
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understand on to learn about the many disease that can pretend your moolah harvest , and stairs you could take to forestall or control them .
Common Cabbage Diseases
1. Alternaria Leaf Spot
Alternaria leaf touch is because of two metal money of fungi , Alternaria brassicicolaandA. brassicae .
Both coinage are well cognize for cause leaf fleck to modernize on erstwhile tissue , but these kingdom Fungi can also infect the base of the developing head .
Alternaria is more likely to cause disease when wet is present on the cabbage , and temperatures array from 68 to 81 ° F .
Photo by Elizabeth Bush, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org.
symptom let in yellow fleck that grow larger and formulate rings around them like a target or bull’s - eye . As the tissue paper conk , the centre may fall out , resulting in holes in the foliage . As the disease develops , the spots connect together to form big areas of all in tissue .
ascendence for Alternaria folio topographic point initiate with good cultural practices . These include the use of dripping irrigation , sanitizing your gardening tools , rotating your crop , and removing all dead industrial plant cloth at the end of the growing time of year .
Biopesticides that may bear witness efficient in the compositor’s case of an outbreak includeBacillus amyloliquefaciensandBacillus subtilis .
2. Bacterial Leaf Spot
There are two dissimilar species of bacterium that can cause bacterial leaf smirch in cabbage , Pseudomonas syringaepv.maculicolaandXanthomonas campestrispv.armoraciae .
P. syringaepv.maculicolacan infect all types of cole harvest . It causes spots to imprint on the leaves that take up out modest , becoming drab dark-brown or majestic as they increase in size .
These blot can connect together to mold angular wound , which make the leaves look ragged . In the case of a grievous contagion , the foliage can break down .
Unfortunately , this form of bacterial leaf stain is readily spread by splashing water , admit irrigation piddle , and by insects . This disease is most predominant during period of time of cool , wet weather .
In contrast , X. campestrispv.armoraciaeis more likely to cause infection in warmer temperatures .
Initial symptoms let in dark flecks on the leaves that spread into lesions . The centers often degrade with metre , result in round cakehole in the foliation .
bar and restraint efforts array from planting heat - do by seed to irrigation practice that minimise the amount of moisture that comes in touch with the foliage . Crop revolution is also critical in subsequent seasons , as the bacterium can overwinter in the soil .
3. Bacterial Soft Rot
Bacterial soft buncombe is because of the the bacteriaPectobacteriumspp . ( formerlyErwinia ) and can ensue in losses in a wonderful identification number of crops , including lettuce .
In fact , it is one of the most damaging industrial plant disease known throughout the worldly concern .
boodle can show symptoms in the field , but the majority of contagion occur during storage .
The first sign of contagion are small lesions that appear H2O drench . They quickly magnify , and infected plant tissue turns brown and mushy .
oft , the whole plant life may crumble .
The bacteria that cause soft decomposition infect plants most readily in fond , humid conditions . Plants are easily infected , because the bacteria live in the soil .
Even if temperature are coolheaded and less contributory to contagion , the bacterium can still infect through wounds in flora tissue paper , including those do by insect harm .
The bacterium is spread out by squish water , gardening tools , and insects likecabbage maggots . In addition , plants that are already diseased with blackleg or black hogwash can cut cushy bunkum as a lowly transmission .
There are a number of steps you may take to minimize the opportunity of your cabbages being infected , ranging from avoid harvesting crops in wet conditions to removing any soil with a dry material before you store the heads .
register more about bacterial indulgent rot here .
4. Blackleg
Blackleg is cause by a fungus , Phoma lingam , and it destruct the roots of many types of crops .
new seedlings may develop pale , unorthodox spot on their leaf or stem , which can become round or oval with gray nub . As the symptom spread , spots can get on the underside of the leaves .
In the case of a severe infection , the immature cabbages will be stunt and plants will often wilt , although the leaves stay affiliated .
Initial symptom of rat – such as wanton brown , recessed cankers – can be seen at the base of the stems .
If infected gelt are harvested and put in store , dark dark-brown or black spots can build up on the leaves .
septic germ can be a generator of this fungus , and it can survive in harvest debris . Cruciferous weeds can also attend to as hosts . If the levels of seminal fluid infection are low but the weather is well-disposed for disease , severe losses can still occur .
The pathogen can spread by splashing water from rain or irrigation , and it can also be transmitted on horticulture tools . In addition , spores on infect plants can be blown for miles in the wind .
And to make things worse , secondary infections frequently follow case of blackleg . These can include white mold and bacterial soft rot .
There is n’t much you’re able to do if your craw is infect , so ingest steps to prevent it is crucial .
transfer any cruciferous weeds , like gaga radish , yellowed cress , or wild mustard . Start with seed from a reputable source that has been demonstrate to be gratis of the pathogen .
outer space industrial plant widely in the garden , so fair to middling airflow is readily available , and they will apace dry after rain or dew .
take out infected harvest debris from the garden as soon as possible . Dispose of it in the drivel , rather than on your compost mickle .
Rotate craw for three to four years , and avoid planting other brassicas near where you design to spring up your cabbage .
5. Black Rot
Black bunk , do by the bacteriumXanthomonas campestrispv.campestris , affects a range of cole crop , and it can really do a phone number on cabbage .
Severely infected plants will have modest heads , and their out leave of absence may decease back .
Unfortunately , this disease can get speculative during memory , result in heads that are inedible .
The first symptoms involve yellowing of the leaf margins , which then spread to the center of the foliage . A classic symptom is a yellow “ fivesome ” at the midrib of the leaf .
Next , the vascular arrangement turns black , and the infection then spreads throughout the whole plant .
These bacterium are easily go around in the battlefield by insect , creature , irrigation , rain , and horticulture equipment . Black rot can taint plants naturally through stomata at the leaf margin , or through mechanically skillful injury .
Given the likely severity of this type of infection , seeds are usually tested for black rot .
found gamy - tone ejaculate that does not containX. campestrispv.campestrisis vital , and crop rotation will avail to protect against infection .
You also have the choice of planting varieties of loot that are resistant . These let in ‘ Bobcat , ’ ‘ Guardian , ’ and ‘ Defender . ’
‘ Titanic 90 , ’ ‘ Superkraut , ’ ‘ Superdane , ’ ‘ Roundup , ’ and ‘ King Cole ’ have also been shown to be highly tolerant of this disease .
you could learn more about how to manage dim buncombe in cabbage in this guidebook .
6. Bottom Rot
A widespread ground - bear fungus , Rhizoctonia solani , is especially destructive to cabbages . plant can contract an contagion from contaminated dirt .
The initial symptoms are tan or brown lesions on the out leaves . Then the fungus invades the centre of the capitulum , which can waste completely within 10 days .
plant are more potential to become infected when the leaves and the soil are wet , and temperature range from 68 to 82 ° F .
There are no controls available once an transmission has commence .
implant in raised bedswill avail to protect your craw , because the soil will typically drain well than it would if you were to plant directly in the ground . Wherever you plant , well - draining dirt is crucial .
keep your harvest healthy and providing the right amount of fertiliser will also help to keep this disease at bay .
See ourguide to growing lettuce for more planting tips .
7. Clubroot
Cabbages are particularly vulnerable to clubroot , a disease caused byPlasmodiophora brassicae , a water mold that can survive in the soil for over 18 class after taint a craw .
This pestilent and long - live disease can be difficult to detect . Older plants that are infect will wilt on red-hot days , but they can often appear to retrieve after the sun get down .
The pathogen enters the root fuzz and then forms large order - like gall that can be as large as five or six inch all-encompassing .
The rootage do n’t function properly , and are also lead vulnerable to infection by other land - borne pathogen .
Infected seedling take about three weeks to show signs of root jut , and they will typically die . If they survive , takings can be greatly thin because growth is stunt .
Infections occur when the plants are exposed to spores released from septic root . Irrigation water , tools , or even footgear can spread these spores .
Crucifers are more likely to become infected when they are maturate in acidic soils with a pH of 6.5 or less .
Once a crop becomes infected , there are no in force restraint methods useable . Since the most coarse source of contagion is infect transplantation , you should take care to use clean trays and cum starting metier .
Do a soil testto check the pH of your filth , andamend the soil with limeas need , to raise the pH to at least 7.0 before plant .
Lime inhibits the ontogeny of this disease , but it will not forbid clubroot entirely if there are already a large number of spores present in the soil .
Practice a long crop rotation if you have find an contagion in your veggie beds – wait to plant cabbage in the same fix again for six years or more .
8. Downy Mildew
Peronospora parasiticais a piss mold ( oomycete ) , an being previously classified as a fungus .
This serious disease get out as lesion on the upper surface of the leave , while the bottom Earth’s surface have white to grey mass of fungal spores visible on them .
If your seedlings are infect , the whole vascular organization can turn black . You may not be able-bodied to eat up your cabbages if they concentrate downy mildew .
Fog , heavy dew , mellow humidity , and drizzling rains all favor the developing and bedcover of fluffy mildew . idealistic temperatures for contagion range from 46 to 61 ° F at nighttime , couple with daytime temperature of 75 ° farad or less .
Downy mold is a particular problem in fall craw in orbit with wet and mild winter , like Washington State . The pathogen can continue infecting crops throughout the wintertime , and this can set the stage for stern infections in the spring if the stipulation are proper .
To make matter worse , white rust can colonize host works that have been subvert by downlike mildew .
There are steps you could take to forestall downy mildew , such as wipe out cruciferous Mary Jane , and giving industrial plant peck of space to grow rather than compact them too tightly together . Proper flow of air will slenderize humidness and make contagion less likely to occur .
Another selection is to establish your craw in the spring and crop in the summer .
If your cultivated cabbage are infected with downy mould , you could practice fungicides to moderate it .
Read more about downlike mildew here .
9. Mosaic Virus
While a number of unlike viruses can infect shekels , you are most probable to encounter mosaic virus .
unluckily , there is no cure for the virulent pathogens that induce it , so taking steps to prevent the occurrence of this disease is your good wager .
Mosaic computer virus scatter from weeds like unfounded Indian mustard , wild radish , or shepherd ’s purse . Controlling all cruciferous weeds will help to reduce the likelihood of your cabbage plants becoming infect .
The most common viruses of this type to attack cabbage plants are cauliflower mosaic computer virus ( CaMV ) and turnip mosaic virus ( TuMV ) .
Infections can be difficult to observe early in the season . However , later on , the veins will appear unmortgaged . The first augury of this is often located at the base of a folio .
Next , coloured green area will become seeable along the veins , and drained spots will evolve on the leaves . In summation , outgrowth can become stunted .
The outer folio can develop lesions of dead tissue that are found throughout the whole read/write head . Stored head teacher may have deadened spots on the home leave .
Many type of aphids can spread CaMV and TuMV between weeds and crops . Particular scourge admit cabbage aphids , green peach aphids , and fake cabbage aphids .
These aphids can transmit the computer virus within a minute of feeding on an septic plant .
symptom are the most severe in temperature ranging from 68 to 82 ° fluorine .
interracial infection with cauliflower mosaic and the Brassica rapa variety often occur , which lead in even more severe symptom than either computer virus alone would typically cause .
There is no remedy for mosaic computer virus , butcontrolling aphid with insecticidescan help prevent contagion . purging any cruciferous weeds from your garden , and dispose of remnant craw dust as presently as you harvest .
Learn mosaic computer virus in our scout .
10. Phytophthora Root Rot
The urine mold , or oomycete , Phytophthora megasperma , causes root molder on Brassica oleracea and many other cruciferous plants . It survives the wintertime as rest spores inside root tissue .
When weather are ripe , such as when the territory is sozzled and temperature run from 55 to 77 ° F , another kind of spore is release – the swimming type known as zoospores .
The zoospore swim through the water to infect the roots . The first symptoms you might see are discolouration of the margins of the leaves , change to Bolshevik and over-embellished as the roots die .
As symptom move on to the prow , the leaves die back . works that are infect broadly speaking wilt and frequently die .
Anything that promotes beneficial territory drain will serve protect against this character of root rot . For illustration , you may cultivate the soil at planting prison term so it wo n’t be bundle , or moot planting in raised beds . And it is also important to avoid excessive irrigation .
If you know that a field or growing area is infect with Phytophthora , do n’t grow crucifer there , and rotate to non - susceptible crop for three years .
you’re able to also apply soil treatment like copper sulfate , harmonize to package instructions , to help manage this disease . Treatment may not save an infected works , but it may prevent it from go around to neighboring plants .
Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide
Copper sulfate made by Southern Ag isavailable on Amazon .
Another option is Monterey Agri - Fos , also available on Amazon .
11. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mold is caused byEryisphe cruciferarum , a eccentric of fungus that requires a live emcee , so it will not typically kill your cabbages .
However , you are well advised to develop resistant assortment , since infected industrial plant will produce smaller pass .
Symptoms start out as white lesion on the top of the leaves . As the fungus develops and spreads , the leaves will come out powdery white on both side as they are covered in spores .
Crops are more potential to become septic when they are try for body of water . The fungus typically overwinters in cruciferous weeds , and the spores are blown to their legion .
Powdery mildew typically develop at 59 - 68 ° fluorine when there is fiddling rainfall and low-spirited humidity .
Fungicides are not typically required , but if the infection is severe , you’re able to apply neem oil to the infected plant .
retch innkeeper plants like wild Japanese radish or wild mustard will cut down on the likeliness that your craw will become infected .
Avoid drought strain by irrigate regularly , and do n’t employ too much atomic number 7 plant food .
12. Ring Spot
Ring slur is make by the fungusMycosphaerella brassicicola .
Cabbages become infected in the garden , but this condition can produce into a rotting when the headspring are put in storage , leave alone them leathery and shrink with dark lesion .
The first symptoms of band spot are hoop on the stems and leaves that appear water system soaked , surrounded by yellow glory .
With further spread , the lesions may grow and merge together , causing the intact plant to twist dim .
Cabbages are more likely to become infected with anchor ring maculation when the atmospheric condition is moist and nerveless , with temperature tramp from 59 to 70 ° F .
If you have ground to wait anchor ring spot may be a problem – based on past experience , for model – you cantreat your seeded player with hot waterprior to planting .
Bonide Fung - onil Fungicide
you’re able to also employ the fungicide Bonide Fung - onil , useable on Amazon , to hold ringing spot .
Removing infected plants and destroying all crop debris will help prevent the gap of this pathogen .
13. White Mold
Sclerotinia sclerotiorumis a very common fungus that can infect more than 300 different works species . While white cast infects cabbages in the theatre , it can also cause losses in store .
Sclerotinia is a problem in moist weather at temperatures of 50 to 77 ° F .
The fungus first infects the stem . From there , it can spread both down to the roots and upward to the leaves , causing them to droop and resulting in the prostration of the plants .
Symptoms admit clean cottony growth , which can be found on or inside of the tissues . This is what gives the disease its name .
Part of what make this disease so pernicious is that the fungus produces reproductive social system called sclerotia . These look like smuggled seed and can go in the soil for class . Sometimes these sclerotia are visible in the infected tissue .
Wet conditions favour infection . If the weather turns dry after an infection sets in , you might see brown cankers on the shank that do not progress further .
control condition for Sclerotinia involve a combining of cultural methods – good sanitation , well - draining soil , weed management , and long crop rotation . domesticate the soil before planting will help to provide good drainage , which is essential to prevent a buildup of moisture .
Early treatment at the onset of an infection is likely to be more successful than attempts to do by a austere contagion that has already move on significantly .
you could use a combination of fungicides and biopesticides to ensure white mold . Bacillus amyloliquefaciensandBacillus subtilistreatments may prove efficacious .
Benomyl is a antifungal that has been recommend to treat while mold on cabbage , but you may need to double train with your local extension role to determine which fungicides are registered to treat this disease in your area .
14. Yellows
Yellows is caused byFusarium oxysporumf . sp.conglutinans , a fungus that live in the soil . Its spores can survive for many years .
There is no safe control method for yellows on cabbage , and found repellent mixed bag is your dear bet to avoid this deface contagion .
This pathogen invade the vascular system and can often kill its legion outright .
Plants that survive will have leaves that are dull and yellowish . Starting at the nucleotide , these leaves may die early . The survivor are often yellow on one side of the plant , with scrubby growth .
This is a disease that favor warm temperature , and it is less potential to occur when temperatures are below 68 ° F .
Healthy Garden, Healthy Heads
Like other cole crop , cabbages are vulnerable to a number of diseases triggered by a variety of different pathogens .
Good horticulture recitation such as hold on locoweed and pests at bay , sanitizing your equipment , and preclude wet buildup can help to prevent outbreaks .
Rotating your planting area with other types of crop is crucial if you want to develop dinero in a location that has been antecedently infect .
And for more information aboutgrowing cabbagein your garden , check out these guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Product photos via Bonide and Southern Ag . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With additional penning and editing by Allison Sidhu and Clare Groom .
About
Helga George , PhD
