What Is Wrong With My Buckwheat?

Are the seedlings dying?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are the leaves greenish-yellow and the growth rate is poor?

Are the plants rapidly wilting and dying, often without turning yellow, small black fungal bodies may be present on the surface of the root just below the soil line?

Are the seedlings clipped off at the soil line?

If the seedlings are dying the probable cause is a damping-off disease. Damping-off is caused by various soil fungi. Damaged seedlings can't be healed so, the best course of action is to remove them. To prevent damping-off let the soil surface dry between waterings, thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding, and do not add nitrogen fertilizers until plants have developed leaves.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from below to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. The appropriate fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Greenish yellow leaves followed by a poor growth is caused by Aster yellows disease. This disease is transferred by insects leafhoppers. There is no cure for Aster yellows, so the affected plants should be destroyed. Prevent the disease by controlling leafhoppers. Spray the plants with the insecticidal soap 3 times, once every 3 days.

Sclerotinia stem rot (white mold) is a fungal disease that causes these symptoms. Wet weather conditions favor this disease. The disease is usually introduced to non-infected areas by infected seeds. Plant only certified seed. If the disease is known to present rotate crops with non-hosts such as cereals.

Cutworms feed at night by cutting off young plants and sometimes eating them whole. During the day, they are hidden below the soil surface. Control them by introducing parasitic nematodes to the ground. Using BTK spray on the ground will also control their numbers.

Distorted stems, buds, and leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects can vary in color, green, pink, black, gray to completely white. They cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.