Pests and diseases affecting the wearing of salads

In certain situations, the growth of the plants can be more or less normal, but it is the particular shape of some leaves that will modify their habit. The big vein virus lettuce ( MLBVV ) causes such symptoms as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

Sometimes, salads can express a more luxuriant vegetation than usual and a rather atypical port. The latter may result, for example, from the development of 2 to 3 buds at the same time (Figures 3 and 4). This physiological anomaly called "multiple hearts" is in particular induced by excessive temperatures occurring during seed germination or at the start of vegetation.

The upstream ( "Bolting"), which is a natural phenomenon, also changes the port salads. It corresponds to the elongation of the internodes of the stem. It subsequently leads to the formation of flowers, then seeds. Unfortunately, it is sometimes initiated prematurely in certain crops (figures 5 and 6), more or less depreciating the quality of the future harvest.

This is explained by :
- the absence of apple formation or by an imperfect head;
- the presence of an unpleasant taste associated with a higher latex content.

Several factors are likely to influence the run:
- the variety used; if the latter is not perfectly adapted to the crop calendar implemented, the risks of bolting are increased. In this situation, we can also observe the formation of suckers lateral ;
- the temperature conditions it a lot. Abnormally hot temperatures for the season, especially in spring and summer, lead to the rise to seeds. A period of drought can have the same effects.

Salads are more or less sensitive to too acidic or too salty soils . In such situations, they may show stunted growth, partial headache, or slowly setting up. Excess salt also causes thickening of the blades of old leaves which also taste more bitter.

Thanks to these few examples, you will have understood that the diseases described in this section often give salads or their apex (momentarily or permanently) particular aspects which contrast with that of the surrounding healthy plants. These aspects are sometimes very specific or on the contrary common to several diseases and reflect a plant dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to be particularly careful when looking for their cause.

If during the consultation of the other sections, you cannot identify the phytosanitary problem which disturbs the development of your salads, do not forget that several parasitic and non-parasitic diseases treated in the other parts sometimes cause a blockage and a stunting of plants. They also induce other symptoms, much more characteristic, that should be researched and analyzed.