Latest Tutorial on Prevention and Control Techniques for Cherry Crown Gall Disease

The cherry is a fruit tree with relatively high economic value. As market demand has expanded in recent years, its planting area has also continued to grow. During cultivation, however, it can be troubled by pests and diseases, and crown gall disease is one of the main diseases of cherry, with the harm brought by the development of cherry cultivation growing increasingly severe. Let us take a look together at the prevention and control techniques for cherry crown gall disease.

1. Disease symptoms

Crown gall disease, also known as root nodule disease or crown gall, mainly harms the plant's root system and root crown. When the disease occurs, tumors of varying sizes appear. In the early stage of the disease, spherical grayish-white tumor-like growths appear on the affected part. These tumors have a rough surface and are soft on the back, and in the later stage the interior becomes woody and the color gradually deepens, becoming hard in texture. These tumors cause the plant's transport tissue to become lignified, affecting the normal absorption and transport of nutrients and water in the planting, and over time the tree vigor weakens, fruit quality is relatively low, and yield is low, until the plant gradually dies.

2. Disease pattern

Its pathogenic bacterium overwinters in the diseased tumor tissue. When the outer layer of the diseased tumor ruptures, the bacteria are washed down by rain and irrigation water into the soil, where they can lie dormant for more than a year. They continue to spread through the plant's root system absorbing water and nutrients, or through insect transmission, yet the greatest mode of transmission is through nursery stock carrying the bacteria. When planted in sandy loam soil, neutral or slightly acidic soil, the disease generally does not occur; if planted in clay soil, poorly drained soil, or alkaline soil, the disease is more severe. Soil moisture and higher levels also induce this disease. If the plant's root system has wounds, the pathogen will invade through the wounds, and tumors can form in a short time.

3. Prevention and control techniques

First, choose nursery stock that does not carry the bacteria for planting. Before planting, strict quarantine and disinfection work must be carried out on the nursery stock to reduce the incidence of the disease. Deeply plow the soil, apply more organic fertilizer, strengthen tree vigor, and improve the plant's disease resistance. At the same time, apply topdressing and foliar spraying in appropriate amounts, and pay attention to supplementing trace elements, while using less herbicide and paclobutrazol. Water promptly during drought, and drain promptly during the rainy season. At the same time, do a good job of controlling underground pests, so as to prevent pests from biting through the root system and creating favorable conditions for the pathogen to invade. After discovering diseased plants, promptly dig out the diseased roots, scrape off the tumors and burn them, then apply copper sulfate solution and lime sulfur mixture to disinfect.

The above is an introduction to the prevention and control techniques for cherry crown gall disease. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.