Control Methods for the Four Major Diseases of Dwarf Lilyturf Cultivation

If you only hear the name dwarf lilyturf, some people might think it is a kind of wheat, a grain crop, but that is not the case at all. Dwarf lilyturf is actually a traditional Chinese medicine, and its root tubers can be used as medicinal material, so its cultivation is fairly common in our country.

What Is Dwarf Lilyturf

Dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus), also known as lilyturf, ribbon grass, maidong and inch winter, is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Ophiopogon in the family Liliaceae. Its fibrous roots are relatively thick, and the tip or middle of the roots often swells into spindle-shaped fleshy small tubers. The root tubers are used as medicine.

The Growing Environment of Dwarf Lilyturf

Dwarf lilyturf prefers a slightly moist soil environment and needs a fair amount of water. In addition to timely irrigation after planting (establishment water) to soak the field soil and promote the rapid emergence of new roots in the seedlings, in early May, when the weather is dry and hot and soil moisture evaporates quickly, irrigation should also be carried out in good time. If there is drought in winter and spring, irrigation should be carried out 1 to 2 times before early February to promote root tuber growth.

The Geographic Distribution of Dwarf Lilyturf

It is mainly produced in Sichuan and Zhejiang. Ophiopogon is distributed in most provinces and regions except the Northeast; dwarf lilyturf is distributed in Jiangxi, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi and other places.

Control of the Four Major Diseases in Dwarf Lilyturf Cultivation

1. Black spot disease:

Symptoms: This disease usually begins to occur in mid-April, with the peak period from June to July. In the early stage of the disease, the leaf surface turns yellow and gradually spreads toward the leaf base, producing water-soaked lesions of different colors such as green, white and yellow. Generally, the outer leaves of the plant are most easily damaged, and the affected leaves gradually curl and wither, affecting growth. The pathogen overwinters in the soil with diseased leaves and becomes the source of infection for the following year. It generally occurs easily in the rainy season. If the soil is poor or too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the disease resistance of the plants weakens and the disease becomes severe.

Control methods:

① Select healthy plants as seedlings for planting.

② Before planting, soak the seedlings for 5 minutes in 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture or 500 times dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder to eliminate pathogens carried by the seedlings.

③ Strengthen field management and drain standing water in time.

④ In winter, clean up dead plants and diseased leaves thoroughly and burn them.

⑤ During the disease period, spray with 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture or 1000 times dilution of 50% carbendazim, once every 10 days, for 3-4 consecutive sprays.

II. Root-knot nematode disease:

Symptoms: In plants damaged by nematodes, root knots of varying sizes form on the roots, appearing like a string of beads. Adventitious hairy roots can grow from the root knots, and the ends of these hairy roots are infected again by nematodes, forming small root knots. Root knots also form on the root tubers. The fibrous roots shorten, and the epidermis becomes rough and cracked, turning reddish-brown. When a root knot is cut open, a white shiny spherical object can be seen, which is the female adult.

Control methods:

① Carry out good crop rotation. Do not rotate with crops such as tobacco, Chinese milk vetch, cowpea, potato, melons, Atractylodes macrocephala and Salvia miltiorrhiza; rotation with gramineous crops is best.

② Select disease-free seedlings and trim off old roots completely to prevent carrying nematodes.

③ Carry out soil treatment. Before planting, apply 5 kg per mu of 5% fenamiphos granules into the ridge soil, or use 40% isofenphos-methyl emulsifiable concentrate, 1 kg per mu plus an appropriate amount of fine sand, spread it in the ridge soil, mix it evenly with the surface soil, and then plant.

III. Mole crickets:

Symptoms: Commonly known as “earth dogs”. Both adults and nymphs can cause damage, biting and eating seedling roots. There are 3 generations per year, and they overwinter as adults or nymphs. They begin to occur in March-April of the following year. They are mostly active at night, like to fly, and are phototactic and attracted to manure.

Control methods:

① Before planting, while preparing the land, use 0.5 kg per mu of 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate, add water to make an 800 times dilution, spray it on the soil surface, and turn the medicated surface soil into the ground.

② During the growing period of dwarf lilyturf, use 3 kg per mu of 5% phoxim granules or 3 kg of 5% isofenphos-methyl granules, mix with 20-30 kg of fine soil, mix evenly and spread it on the surface of the ridge soil.

③ Use spices for trapping and killing.

IV. White grubs:

Symptoms: They generally occur from August to September, damaging roots and seedlings and affecting growth.

Control methods: Spray with 200 times dilution of 90% trichlorfon to kill them.

Dwarf lilyturf mainly grows in places such as Sichuan, but in the process of cultivating dwarf lilyturf, if you want to obtain high yields, understanding diseases is very important. First of all, understanding the symptoms and treatment methods of some common diseases is very helpful for cultivation.