Why Does Cabbage Rot at the Core? Causes and Prevention Measures Explained

Cabbage is a common vegetable, grown in both the north and the south. Because it tastes delicious and is economical and affordable, it is deeply favored by farmers, so its planting area is extensive. However, farmers often encounter the problem of cabbage rotting at the core, so what causes cabbage core rot? How should it be prevented and treated? Let's find out together.

I. Causes of Cabbage Core Rot

1. Soft rot

Soft rot is a common disease. When the inner leaves of cabbage are bitten by pests or the pathogen is brought onto the cabbage, under suitable temperatures the pathogen reproduces rapidly and gradually spreads to the outer skin, causing the plant to rot.

2. Calcium deficiency and tipburn

In appearance, tipburn in cabbage is not very different from normal cabbage; it is just that the leaves at the core have already deteriorated and cannot be used. The main cause of this disease is calcium deficiency. It is a physiological disease caused by the root system being unable to transport enough calcium. Of course, when manganese is excessively deficient, tipburn symptoms can also appear. With tipburn, the edges of the leaf core dry up and curl inward, and the growth of the cabbage is inhibited. The head formation is no different from that of normal cabbage, but the interior is in a water-soaked state, with the leaves undergoing a mushy rot and having a sour, spoiled smell.

II. Prevention Measures

1. Choose varieties with strong disease resistance

Choosing varieties with strong disease resistance can prevent cabbage core rot to a certain extent. Generally speaking, straight-cylinder type Chinese cabbage is much more resistant to core rot. Of course, its quality may not be as good as that of round, heading-type Chinese cabbage, so you can choose according to your own actual situation.

2. Clean up the field

When a disease such as soft rot is caused by pathogens, diseased plants should be pulled out promptly and taken out of the field to be burned or buried deep, which can reduce the source of spread and infection.

3. Suitable humidity

When field humidity is relatively high, pathogens are extremely likely to breed, leading to an epidemic of the disease. Coordinate fertilizer and water management, and avoid the field being excessively dry or moist. Especially during head formation, flooding irrigation must be prohibited.

4. Apply more organic fertilizer

Apply more organic fertilizer. When organic fertilizer provides comprehensive nutrition, it can avoid dry tipburn caused by calcium deficiency, and it can also greatly improve calcium deficiency caused by salinization of the field.

5. Chemical control

Field pests should be controlled as early as possible, as pests are vectors of field diseases. If dry tipburn is found, water immediately, and spray a mixed solution of 0.7% calcium oxide and 2000-fold naphthaleneacetic acid for control. Generally, spraying 1-3 times per week is enough for improvement.

  The above is an introduction to the causes of cabbage core rot and prevention measures. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.