How to control aphids on potherb mustard? Detailed explanation of control methods
Potherb mustard, scientific name: Brassica juncea var. crispifolia, also known as xuelihong, jiutoujie, shaocai, paicai, etc., belongs to the genus Brassica, phylum Angiospermae, and is a type of mustard. Potherb mustard is the tender stems and leaves of the cruciferous plant mustard; its nature and flavor are cool, and it enters the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of promoting urination and stopping diarrhea, dispelling wind and dissipating blood stasis, and reducing swelling and relieving pain. It mainly treats conditions such as difficult urination, dysentery, coughing blood, swollen and painful gums, sore throat and hoarse voice, swollen and painful hemorrhoids, itching from lacquer poisoning, bruises and injuries, and joint pain, and is a commonly used herbal medicine among the people. It can be applied externally or eaten internally.
Potherb mustard belongs to the mustard species of the genus Brassica in the cruciferous family and is a variety of tillering mustard. Potherb mustard has many aliases. In Jiangsu and Zhejiang it is called "xuelihong", "jiutoujie", and "shaocai"; in Hunan and Hubei it is called "paicai". It is an important vegetable for the winter and spring seasons widely cultivated in the Yangtze River Basin of China, and its leaf stalks and leaf blades are eaten. Its nutritional value is very high. According to analysis, every 100 grams of potherb mustard contains 91% water, 1.9 grams of protein, 0.4 grams of fat, 2.9 grams of carbohydrates, 3.9 grams of ash, 73-235 mg of calcium, 43-64 mg of phosphorus, and 1.1-3.4 mg of iron. It is rich in vitamins essential for normal human life activities. In 100 grams of fresh vegetable there are 1.46-2.69 mg of carotene, 0.07 mg of thiamine (vitamin B1), 0.14 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 8 mg of nicotinic acid, and 83 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Moreover, because it is rich in mustard oil, it has a special spicy aroma, and after its protein is hydrolyzed it can also produce a large amount of amino acids. After pickling and processing, potherb mustard has a bright yellow color, a rich aroma, and a crisp and delicious taste. Whether stir-fried, steamed, boiled, or used as a seasoning in soup, or served on the table on its own, it is deeply loved by urban and rural residents.
How to control aphids on potherb mustard?
What are aphids?
Aphids are also called oil insects or greasy insects. The insect body is yellow-green or dark brown, and its reproductive capacity is extremely strong. It can produce ten to twenty generations a year. It mainly harms the tender leaves and young buds of flowers. It sucks sap from flower buds and petals, and can cause the tender leaves of flowers to curl, young buds to shrivel, flower buds to become deformed, and the lifespan of flowers to shorten. Aphids can harm many kinds of greenhouse flowers, such as mulberry, pomegranate, woody night jasmine, chrysanthemum, guangshiju, Chinese rose, paohonghua, orange jasmine, yellow oleander, and so on. At the same time, they can secrete sugary liquid, which can induce other diseases such as sooty mold. Therefore, if aphid damage is found, control should be carried out immediately.
Control methods for aphids on potherb mustard:
1) Remove various weeds in time to prevent the spread of aphids.
2) Spray 1500 times dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsion; or a 1500-2000 times dilution of an equal mixture of 80% dichlorvos and 40% dimethoate emulsion; or soak 1 jin of tobacco in 15 jin of water and spray after one day and night.
3) Use natural enemies for control, mainly including the multicolored Asian lady beetle and the seven-spotted lady beetle, etc. Especially when chrysanthemum aphids occur, a certain number of seven-spotted lady beetles often appear together, which plays a certain role in controlling and eliminating chrysanthemum aphids. Therefore, when using chemicals to prevent and control aphids, they must be used with caution, and attention must be paid to protecting the natural enemies of aphids.