Methods for Controlling Anthracnose in Pomegranate Cutting Seedlings During the Seedling Stage

Pomegranate cutting propagation is the main method for propagating pomegranate seedlings. It has the characteristics of rapid seedling formation, fast emergence, and a high survival rate after planting. During the growth period of pomegranate seedlings, the high-temperature and rainy climate conditions make anthracnose prone to occur. If not controlled in time, it can cause leaf drop, dead shoot tips, or dead seedlings, affecting the rate of pomegranate seedlings reaching out-planting standard.

1. Disease symptoms. When leaves are affected, the lesions often occur on the edges and tips, are irregular in shape and yellowish-brown, and are scattered with small black spots; when branches are affected, it mainly occurs at the top of young shoots, which die from the bottom upward.

2. Disease occurrence pattern. The high-temperature and rainy climate conditions make the disease prone to occur. If the rainy season comes early, the disease occurs early; the disease is severe in summer, and young tender branches and leaves with weak growth and excessive nitrogen fertilizer application are susceptible to the disease.

3. Control methods

1. Control the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied, and do not apply nitrogen fertilizer alone. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied in appropriate combination. Practice has shown that the ratio of urea, ordinary calcium superphosphate, and compound fertilizer should be 2:3:3.

2. When diseased shoots or severely diseased plants are found, promptly prune them (the cut should be made at least 2 cm below the healthy part) or pull them out and burn them in a centralized manner or bury them deeply, then spray pesticide for protection.

3. Before the rainy season arrives or during the disease occurrence period, any one of the following pesticides may be selected for spraying control. Lvheng No. 1 3000-fold solution or Siluofu 1500-fold solution or thiophanate-methyl 800-fold solution, etc. Spray once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times. Pesticides should be used alternately to avoid developing pesticide resistance.

In addition, pomegranate seedlings are relatively sensitive to organophosphorus pesticides. When controlling pomegranate pests and diseases, try to avoid selecting organophosphorus pesticides. If they need to be selected, a test must be conducted in advance; otherwise, it will cause leaf drop and dead seedlings.