What Causes Dead Bitter Melon Seedlings? A Detailed Guide to Prevention and Control
As the planting area of bitter melon increases, its pests and diseases also worsen. Dead bitter melon seedlings are an extremely common phenomenon during cultivation. In many regions, when farmers start growing bitter melon, the first thing they must do is carry out preventive measures. So what causes dead bitter melon seedlings? Let's find out together.
1. Viral disease
Bitter melon is prone to viral disease after being fed on by virus-carrying piercing-sucking pests such as thrips and aphids. There are many types of viral diseases, and many food crops can be infected by the same virus, which can also spread through friction between branches and leaves during farm operations. After infection with viral disease, bitter melon plants may wither and die.
Prevention and control methods: Therefore, pay attention to these insects. Mainly use acetamiprid-type insecticides plus the antiviral agent lentinan and brassinolide. Generally apply once a week, and the control effect is good.
2. Nematode disease
Nematode disease harms many food crops and mainly damages the root system of bitter melon. It has a stylet that can pierce the root system of bitter melon, then let its saliva enter the roots, causing tumor-like growths on the roots and abnormal growth. The root tumors are first white and finally black, causing the root system to completely lose its ability to absorb. Without water and nutrients, the plant will die.
Prevention and control methods: Use Yinghui nematicide or Paecilomyces lilacinus, or use abamectin and methyl bromide for soil disinfection.
3. Soil-borne diseases
Soil-borne diseases can also cause dead bitter melon seedlings. Common ones include root rot, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora blight, and wilt. Damage is most severe during the fruiting period, and seedlings are very prone to death. Wilt causes stem rot and damage to the vascular bundles, leading to dead seedlings. Phytophthora blight causes root rot, separation of the skin from the woody part, water-soaked lesions, and eventually dead seedlings. Root rot causes the affected roots to rot, leaving the vascular bundles, while the upper part withers and dies.
Prevention and control methods: The prevention and control methods for various diseases differ and should be targeted. For example, spray carbendazim fungicide to control root rot; drench with a 1500-fold solution of 50% benomyl wettable powder to control Fusarium wilt; use a 500-800-fold solution of 72% Kelu wettable powder to control Phytophthora blight.
4. Improper management
Soil compaction or excessive clay heaviness will seriously affect the growth and development of the root system. In severe cases, lack of oxygen causes suffocation and death, which will also lead to dead seedlings. Sometimes fertilizing at sowing causes seedling malnutrition, yellowing, and death, or the fertilizer concentration is too high and too close to the roots, which can also cause dead seedlings.
Prevention and control methods: Carry out timely intertillage and loosening of the soil to break up soil compaction. When fertilizing, maintain spacing. Seedlings are relatively sensitive to fertilizer concentration, so reduce the fertilizer concentration.
The above is an introduction to the causes of dead bitter melon seedlings and prevention and control methods. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.