What Causes Deformed Loofah Gourds? Detailed Explanation of Prevention and Control Methods

When growing loofah, the most headache-inducing problem is deformed gourds. Deformed gourds are an important physiological problem in loofah production. There are many causes of loofah deformity, such as insufficient fertilizer and water, excessively high temperature, and damage from pests and diseases. So how should loofah deformity be prevented and controlled? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.

1. Insufficient fertilizer and water supply

When loofah plants are chronically deficient and drought-stressed, or when the root system has weak absorption capacity, the nutrient supply needed for normal loofah growth cannot be guaranteed. This leads to poor plant nutrition, weakened plants, poor fruit growth, and even deformity.

Prevention and control methods: Ensure the supply of fertilizer and water, apply fertilizer in a timely manner to provide soil fertility, and improve the absorption capacity of the loofah root system. During drought, water promptly to keep the soil moist, so that soil drought does not affect root absorption capacity. At the appropriate time, irrigate the roots to trap and kill root pests and diseases, promote well-developed roots, and provide sufficient nutrients for the plants.

2. Insufficient light

Loofah is a crop that likes sufficient light. If light is insufficient during fruit development or if there is a continuous low-light environment, curved gourd deformity symptoms may appear.

Prevention and control methods: During fruit development, prune appropriately, removing dead leaves, yellow leaves, and dense leaves to increase ventilation and light penetration in the field, provide sufficient light for fruit development, and reduce the occurrence of curved gourds.

3. Large day-night temperature difference

During the growth and development of loofah, a certain day-night temperature difference can promote fruit expansion, but if the day-night temperature difference is too large, it will cause fruit deformity. When growing in greenhouses, if ventilation is not carried out in time, causing excessively high greenhouse temperatures, deformed fruit can also result.

Prevention and control methods: During cultivation, pay attention to nighttime temperature. Nutrients will be excessively consumed, and during fruit development, deformity will occur due to poor development. When the temperature inside the greenhouse reaches 31-33 degrees, ventilate in time to avoid excessively high greenhouse temperatures. When the outdoor temperature is too low, open the ventilation openings slowly when ventilating to avoid sudden rises and falls in greenhouse temperature.

4. Improper pollination

During the pollination period of loofah, if the external environment is unsuitable, such as excessively high temperature or poor field permeability, it will cause poor pollination. In addition, if correct measures are not taken during flower spotting, it will also cause insufficient pollination of female flowers and cause fruit deformity.

Prevention and control methods: Control plant growth, inhibit main shoot growth, promote flower bud differentiation, make the plant bloom more, improve pollen treatment, and increase fruit set rate. Spraying fruit-strengthening pedicel multiple times before flowering can promote the growth and development of floral organs, improve pollination quality, and reduce the incidence of deformed fruit.

The above is an introduction to the causes of loofah deformity and prevention and control methods. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.