How to prevent and control pitaya canker disease? A detailed explanation of the latest methods

Pitaya has many diseases, and quite a few are common ones. Today we are introducing canker disease because it is an extremely common disease. It breaks out in summer and mainly damages the stems and fruits, causing comprehensive damage. Therefore, prevention and control must be taken seriously, the source must be addressed, the damage should be reduced as much as possible, and symptoms should be improved. So today we will mainly discuss some characteristics and prevention and control methods of pitaya canker disease.

1. Disease symptoms

After infection begins, small green dot-like spots grow on the stems. The spots gradually turn yellowish-brown, then the lesions gradually expand somewhat and some connect. They begin to sink, with a darker color in the middle and blackened outer edges, and the spots are inconsistent. The lesions appear yellow and rust-like, and the lesions are nearly round, but some are irregular. In the end, the entire affected area turns yellow and rots, and when dry it withers away.

2. Causes of the disease

It is a fungal disease that mainly occurs under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. It begins after temperatures rise again in late spring, and when it occurs it is often accompanied by soft rot and other diseases. The pathogen likes warm environments, and pitaya grows in the tropics, so the conditions for disease development are very favorable. Generally, after a typhoon passes through, humidity is very high, and once the temperature rises the disease breaks out. After infection by the pathogen, there is a one-week incubation period. Once the pathogen has established itself, it produces conidia on the lesions and can cause repeated infections.

3. Prevention

In the early stage of stem growth, before fruiting, use a 300-fold solution of Liangguoan for spraying as prevention, then use a 600-fold solution of Wofengsu for spraying to supplement nutrients and provide antibacterial repair. When taking cuttings, use Qingkulike to dip the roots to promote wound healing. If not sterilized, contact with soil makes them prone to infection by pathogens. After heavy rain, spray the pesticide once more for prevention. Usually, pay attention to insect control and avoid causing wounds, which are prone to infection.

4. Treatment

After the disease occurs, use medication for treatment. First cut off the diseased branches and apply a disinfectant and a wound-healing agent, such as "Kuifuling"; then spray Liangguoan, garlic oil, and Wofengsu together for treatment. For severe cases, use Kuifuling plus Qingkulike together with medication for root irrigation treatment. This is more direct and effective, and combined with spraying, it eliminates conidia. The cut diseased branches should be burned, and the entire orchard should be thoroughly cleaned. Healthy plants should also be sprayed to prevent latent infection.

Pitaya canker disease is a fungal disease with widespread and common damage, and it is very serious, so the emphasis should be on prevention. For treatment, medications should be used both above ground and below ground, which takes effect relatively quickly. For severely diseased plants, they can be pulled out and sterilized. As soon as any disease occurs, all plants should be sprayed.