What are the common diseases of blueberries? A summary of the latest control methods

Blueberry is a perennial small shrub fruit tree. Because the fruit it bears is blue, it is called blueberry. Blueberries contain very rich nutrients, such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins help activate the retina, strengthen vision, and can also prevent eye fatigue. Blueberry is a small fruit tree, so the corresponding probability of disease occurrence also increases. So what diseases can blueberries develop? How should these diseases be controlled? Let's take a look below!

1. Crown gall disease

Crown gall disease mainly occurs during the transition period between spring and summer. In the early stage of infection, it shows as slightly protruding swellings on the roots, or milky-colored tumor-like growths with an uneven surface. These tumor-like growths will slowly expand, gradually becoming larger and darker, until finally the entire root becomes dark brown. Crown gall disease affects the plant's absorption of water and nutrients, causing the plant to be unable to grow and develop normally. When selecting seedlings, choose seedlings that are growing well, robust, and disease-free. Diseased plants should be removed immediately once found. Meet the plant's required water and fertilizer amounts. When cultivating and fertilizing, be careful not to damage the roots. If tumor-like growths are found, remove the tumors promptly, and after removal, bandage and disinfect the wounds.

2. Mummy berry disease

Mummy berry disease is mainly caused by fungal pathogens. The hyphae develop inside and outside the cells of leaves and flowers, causing the cells to rupture and die because they cannot withstand it. Cell rupture causes the stems, leaves, and flowers to lose vitality and become withered and listless. After one month, these pathogens will gradually spread to the leaves, stems, and flowers, and infect newly opened flowers. After that, the affected leaves, fruits, stems, and flowers will all become withered, dry up, and fall off. The best way to control mummy berry disease is to spray some urea at the initial stage of mummy berry disease in early spring, and spray some pyrazophos before flowering to control the invasion of pathogens.

3. Stem canker

Stem canker is also a disease caused by fungal pathogens. It mainly damages the stems, causing the stems to dry up and wither, and in severe cases in summer, they may even die. Under high-temperature and drought conditions, the leaf color gradually turns brown. After the branches mature, the leaves curl and wrap around the branches. It is mainly spread through media such as rain and wind. When blueberry trees are dormant and overwintering, prune out the dry, withered, and discolored branches. For diseased branches, all affected parts should be pruned back to normal parts. When first choosing an orchard, choose a plot where disease has not occurred. Fertilize frequently to promote rapid maturation of branches, and use pesticides for controlling mummy berry disease in combination to reduce the incidence rate.

The three diseases above are the most likely to occur during blueberry cultivation, but they are definitely not the only diseases. There are also gray mold, black spot, and so on. When abnormalities are found in blueberries, observe the symptoms promptly, determine the disease type, and then treat the disease accordingly. Do not blindly use chemicals, and even more, do not mix all chemicals together for convenience, because excessively high concentration will burn the blueberry roots and seriously affect yield.