What to Do About Dead Seedlings in Greenhouse Vegetables? Latest Solutions Explained
In the process of growing vegetables in greenhouses, dead seedlings and dead plants are unavoidable. Some are caused by pests and diseases, and some are caused by improper management. But regardless of the cause, if not controlled in time, they can spread through the entire greenhouse and cause large areas of dead seedlings. So how should dead seedlings in greenhouse vegetables be dealt with? Let's take a look.
1. Soil improvement
The main cause of dead vegetable seedlings is still soil-related problems. Soil compaction and low organic matter content both affect the growth and development of the root system, and in severe cases they cause dead seedlings. Therefore, attention should be paid to soil improvement and maintenance to create a good growing environment for the roots, so that dead seedlings can be avoided at the root. So it is recommended that when changing crops or applying base fertilizer, more organic fertilizer and microbial fertilizer be used, bacterial fertilizer be applied at planting, and commercial organic fertilizer or microbial bacterial fertilizer be applied frequently as a top dressing during the growing period.
2. Chemical root drenching
When vegetables are planted, some underground pests such as wireworms and white grubs like to feed on the roots of seedlings, causing the aboveground plants to wither and die; in addition, several diseases that vegetable seedlings are prone to also cause dead seedlings. So for pests and diseases that damage seedling roots, in addition to targeted control, unaffected plants can be drenched at the roots with 68% metalaxyl-M · mancozeb + 72% streptomycin, or kasugamycin + copper oxychloride + thiophanate-methyl + azoxystrobin. At the same time, to avoid root damage, a rooting agent can be added to the chemical solution during root drenching, which can nourish the roots and improve root resistance.
3. Control watering
After dead seedlings occur, do not water immediately. After disinfecting the planting holes and drenching the roots with chemicals, the ground can be sprayed thoroughly with chemicals such as hymexazol to reduce the number of pathogens in the surface soil and also reduce the possibility of pathogens spreading with water. Although both chemical root drenching and soil disinfection can kill pathogens, they also kill beneficial bacteria at the same time, so after chemical treatment, biological bacterial agents should be supplemented in time. This is because microbial bacterial agents can not only increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the soil, but also inhibit the reproduction of pathogens. They have an excellent effect on promoting root growth and improving root stress resistance, thereby reducing the possibility of the root system being infected again by pathogens. However, when using the two, it is best to leave an interval of about 10 days so as not to affect the results.
The above is an introduction to solutions for dead seedlings in greenhouse vegetables. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.