Identification of Symptoms and Control Methods of Root-knot Nematode Disease in Sophora flavescens

Sophora flavescens, also known as Kushen, Niucan, or Chuanshen, is the dried root of the legume plant Sophora flavescens Ait. It has the effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, killing parasites, and promoting diuresis, and is used to treat bloody dysentery due to heat toxin, bloody stool from intestinal wind, jaundice with urinary retention, leukorrhea with reddish and whitish discharge, genital swelling and itching, pediatric pneumonia, malnutrition with accumulation, acute tonsillitis, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, eczema, weeping sores, skin itching, scabies and leprosy, genital sores with dampness and itching, scrofula, burns, and more. For external use, it can treat trichomonal vaginitis. It is distributed and cultivated throughout the country. In Shandong, it is mainly produced in Weifang, Linyi, Zibo, Zaozhuang, Jinan, Yantai, Tai'an, and other places.

Biological characteristics  

Sophora flavescens grows wild on sunny slopes, grasslands, plains, hills, roadsides, sandy soils, and red soil areas. It prefers a warm climate. It is not demanding about soil and can be cultivated in general soils; however, loam or sandy loam with deep, fertile soil and convenient drainage and irrigation is best.

Root-knot nematode disease of Sophora flavescens has caused serious adverse effects on its production, so when planting Sophora flavescens it is necessary to understand and control root-knot nematode disease. So let us learn below how to control root-knot nematode disease in Sophora flavescens.

What is a root-knot nematode?

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne) is a highly specialized omnivorous plant-pathogenic nematode. For root-knot nematode disease, the plant protection policy of giving priority to prevention and adopting integrated control must be strictly implemented, with emphasis on agricultural and physical control measures, combined with chemical and biological control, in order to effectively prevent its damage.

Symptoms of damage caused by root-knot nematode disease in Sophora flavescens

This disease damages the roots of Sophora flavescens. The affected taproots, lateral roots, and fibrous roots all bear tumor-like galls; the taproots and lateral roots become thinner, and the fibrous roots increase in number. Fine hairy roots grow on the galls. After the nematode parasitizes, root function is disrupted, causing the aboveground part of the plant to be obviously dwarfed, the leaves to turn yellow, and growth to be stunted, affecting yield.

Control methods for root-knot nematode disease in Sophora flavescens:

For chemical control, 1.8% abamectin emulsifiable concentrate at 1500—2000 times dilution and 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution can be selected, and the two agents can be compounded for root irrigation.