What causes citrus leaf curl? Here's how to fix it

When growing citrus, leaf curling often occurs, which gives many fruit growers a real headache. Leaf curl not only causes the leaves to twist and lose their gloss, but also has a certain impact on yield. So what causes citrus leaf curl? What solutions are there? Below, Qinong Web will explain them for everyone.

1. Root-knot nematode damage

Root-knot nematodes are relatively small in size and lurk on the citrus root system, constantly piercing the roots with their stylets, damaging the roots and causing small root knots to grow on the roots. This prevents the root system from growing and developing and from absorbing nutrients and water normally, so the leaves turn yellow and curl due to a lack of nutrients and water.

Solution: Strengthen management, do a good job of root-knot nematode prevention and control, and once the disease is found, apply medication promptly for control.

2. Lack of elements

Citrus growth requires many elements, and a deficiency of any one of them can trigger abnormal growth, and the appearance of leaf curl may be due to a lack of trace elements such as boron and calcium.

Solution: Fertilize frequently when planting to supplement what the plant needs for growth, and regularly apply organic fertilizer or multi-element compound fertilizer to increase the content of trace elements in the soil.

3. Too many fruits set

Many fruit growers, due to proper management, have citrus trees that set a large number of fruits. Although this achieves the goal of high yield, leaf curl still appears. In fact, the reason for the large number of fruits is that the fruits need sufficient nutrients and water as they grow, and combined with late harvesting, nutrient consumption becomes excessive, while the plant cannot supply so many nutrients at once, leading to leaf curl.

Solution: During the fruiting period, fertilizer is generally applied as a top dressing to ensure smooth fruit growth, and once the fruits mature they should be harvested in time. Apply fertilizer immediately after harvest to replenish the nutrients consumed by the plant and lay the foundation for flowering and fruiting the following year.

4. Environmental factors

The environment can also cause citrus leaf curl. Leaf curl appears in environments with drought, low temperatures, high temperatures, and relatively strong soil acidity.

Solution: Choose a suitable environment for planting. In arid areas, water frequently to replenish moisture; in low temperatures, take good measures to keep warm and prevent freezing; in high-temperature seasons, find ways to lower the temperature, such as watering more or sprinkling water to increase air humidity; if the soil is too acidic, mix stone lime or plant ash into the soil to adjust the acidity.

5. Improper application of winter fertilizer

In winter, when temperatures are low, fruit growers apply winter fertilizer to prevent freezing, but if winter fertilizer is applied improperly and the fertilizer concentration is high, it causes root burn and damages the root system, so that the following year its ability to absorb nutrients and water declines, and in severe cases the roots may rot and the plant may die.

Solution: When applying winter fertilizer, pay attention to the method and concentration. Do not let the fertilizer come into direct contact with the root system during application, to avoid root burn. In addition, in early spring, apply water-soluble fertilizer to strengthen shoots and buds and allow the leaves to grow normally.

The above are the causes and solutions for citrus leaf curl brought to you by Qinong Web. The causes of citrus leaf curl also include pests and diseases, improper girdling, and so on. In short, most causes are problems with nutrition and the root system. Doing a good job of protection in these two aspects can eliminate most of the causes of leaf curl.