A Detailed Guide to the Latest Pest and Disease Control Methods for Mustard Greens

Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) are an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Brassica in the crucifer family, and a vegetable unique to China, cultivated in every region of the country. Its leaves can be pickled for consumption, and its seeds and whole plant can be used as medicine, with effects of resolving phlegm and calming asthma, reducing swelling and relieving pain. The seeds can also be used as a seasoning and for oil pressing, making it a plant whose every part is a treasure. So how should pests and diseases be controlled when growing it? Let's take a look.

1. Soft rot

This disease mainly affects the root and stem. When it occurs, water-soaked, irregular lesions appear at the base of the stem or on the roots near the ground. As the disease progresses, the lesions gradually expand, eventually causing internal soft rot, with sticky fluid flowing out of the rotten area and giving off a foul odor.

Control method: When the disease occurs, spray copper ammonia complex water solution or 7 agricultural streptomycin for control, spraying once every week, and after 2-3 times it can be successfully controlled.

2. Black spot

Black spot mainly affects the leaves. When it occurs, round or nearly round lesions appear on the leaves. In severe cases, the lesions merge together, causing localized death of the leaves, and in the later stage, holes appear.

Control method: In the early stage of the disease, spray chlorothalonil and carbendazim-plus-fosetyl-aluminum agents for control, likewise once a week, for 2-3 times in a row.

3. Viral disease

Viral disease affects both seedlings and mature plants. When seedlings are affected, chlorotic round spots appear on the leaves, and later the leaves show yellow-green mottling and mosaic symptoms, leaf crinkling, and other symptoms. After mature plants are infected, the heart leaves show the same symptoms, and in severe cases the leaves become deformed, the veins necrose, the plant becomes stunted, and growth stops or the plant dies.

Control method: Sow as late as possible; early sowing is more susceptible to this disease than late sowing. This disease is mostly spread by aphids, so when controlling it, the transmission route must first be cut off and the aphids thoroughly killed. Dimethoate emulsion, silicothion, anti-aphid fog, and other agents can be used for control.

4. Aphids

Aphids are both a transmission route for viral disease and can themselves harm mustard greens. Both adults and larvae can cause damage. During an outbreak, large numbers of adults and larvae gather on the tender leaves to suck sap, often causing the leaves to lose their green color and turn yellow, wilt, and die, causing great harm.

Control method: After harvest in winter, clear weeds and crop residue from the field, deep-plow the soil to destroy overwintering eggs, and at planting time use agents made into poisoned soil to kill them; during an outbreak, spray agents to kill them.

The above are pest and disease control methods for mustard greens. We hope they help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.