What are the causes of muskmelon wilt and dead seedlings and what are the control methods

During muskmelon cultivation, grafted seedlings in early-spring greenhouses are highly prone to acute wilt and dead seedling symptoms; in mild cases a small area of seedlings dies, and individual fields may even suffer total crop failure, seriously affecting the economic returns of muskmelon cultivation. So what causes muskmelon wilt and dead seedlings? How should they be prevented and controlled? Follow the editor and take a look.

I. Causes

1. Variety

Muskmelon varieties differ in disease resistance. Some varieties have strong disease resistance and also relatively strong resistance to adverse external conditions, with a very low rate of dead seedlings, while some varieties have lower disease resistance and poor adaptability to the local environment, so their rate of dead seedlings is relatively high.

2. Climatic influence

During the growing period, grafted muskmelons encounter long periods of continuous rainy weather, with low temperatures and little sunshine; the duration of sunlight is lower than in normal years, light intensity is also lower than in normal years, and the temperature is 2 degrees lower than in normal years. During the fruiting period the temperature rises sharply, and the greenhouse cannot be opened for ventilation and cooling. At noon the temperature inside the greenhouse can reach about 50°C. Plants at both ends of the greenhouse appear normal, while plants in the middle of the greenhouse show varying degrees of wilting.

3. Improper cultivation management

Improper sowing time, with too early sowing, results in poor downward rooting of the root system, large but not thick leaves, and low dry matter storage. In addition, excessively high soil water content inhibits root respiration and is extremely unfavorable to root growth, especially causing great damage to the fine roots, resulting in wilt and dead seedlings.

4. Pests and diseases

Because of the long planting years, root-knot nematodes occur commonly. Seedlings have relatively poor resistance and, after root-knot nematodes damage the root system, acute wilt disease is induced. In addition, Fusarium wilt and root rot cause plant wilting, and the physiological resistance of the plants declines, which also causes wilt disease to develop faster and more severely, with a higher rate of dead seedlings.

II. Control measures

1. Choose suitable varieties

When selecting rootstocks and scions, not only grafting compatibility but also symbiotic compatibility must be considered, especially the performance of symbiotic compatibility under adverse weather conditions.

2. Fertilizer and water management

When watering, follow the principle of small amounts and multiple applications. Each drip irrigation session should not be too long, and at the same time supplement magnesium, calcium and other trace fertilizers in appropriate amounts and at appropriate times.

3. Spray paclobutrazol before and after fruit set, which can control the top and promote the bottom, stimulate the thickening of roots and the growth of root hairs, inhibit vegetative growth, promote reproductive growth, and increase the fruit-setting rate.

4. Pest and disease control

During the vine-extension stage, pay attention to controlling root-knot nematode disease, and during the fruiting stage, pay attention to controlling root rot.

The above is an introduction to the causes of muskmelon wilt and dead seedlings and the control measures. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.