What Causes Pumpkin Heart Rot? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Control Methods
Pumpkin originated in the Americas in the Mexico region and was introduced to China during the Ming Dynasty; it is now widely grown across the country and can be used both as food and as medicine. Different parts of the whole plant have different medicinal effects: the seeds have the effect of clearing heat and removing dampness, the vines have a heat-clearing effect, the fruit stalk has the effect of preventing miscarriage, and the roots can also treat toothache, so it can be said that the whole plant is a treasure. However, many farmers often encounter heart rot during cultivation, so what causes pumpkin heart rot, and how should it be controlled? Let's take a look together with Qinnong Wang.
1. Variety reasons
After many years of cultivation and breeding, pumpkin has many varieties. Some varieties are not suited to the local growing environment and climate when planted, so heart rot and fruit rot occur.
Control method: Choose varieties with strong growth, disease resistance, and stress resistance that match the local environment, such as Miben pumpkin, Huanglang pumpkin, and Mopan pumpkin. These three varieties are outstanding among pumpkins; they have strong adaptability, can grow in many environments, and also have strong disease resistance and stress resistance, and are heat tolerant.
2. Improper management
Pumpkin is a warm-loving short-day plant with strong drought tolerance, but it is averse to waterlogging. If during cultivation it is exposed to intense direct sunlight for a long time, or if watering is improper or there are rainy days, causing excessive water accumulation in the soil, resulting in hardening and poor permeability, the root system absorbs too much water, leading to increased water content in the pumpkin. Then, when the soil receives strong light, heart rot and fruit rot are very likely to occur.
Control method: When pumpkin enters the fruit expansion stage, humidity and light must be strictly controlled. After watering, ventilate promptly to reduce air humidity, and after rainy days, drain water promptly. Usually, weed and loosen the soil promptly to increase soil permeability, promote root growth, increase nutrient transport capacity, and allow the fruit to grow and develop rapidly.
3. Diseases
During cultivation, many diseases can cause heart rot and fruit rot in pumpkin, such as phytophthora blight, viral disease, anthracnose, and other diseases, all of which can cause pumpkin heart rot and fruit rot.
Control method: Before planting, treat seeds with Xinguozhimu seed dressing, which can eliminate pathogens carried on the seed surface. Deep plow and sun-bleach the soil to eliminate pathogens in the soil, so that pathogen infection can be blocked at the source. During planting, use rational close planting, apply additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to improve the plant's disease resistance, observe promptly, and use chemicals promptly when diseases are found.
The above are the causes and control methods of pumpkin heart rot and fruit rot brought to you by Qinnong Wang. That is all for pumpkin heart rot and fruit rot. We hope it can help you. For more agricultural knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnong Wang.