The Latest Control Methods for Common Diseases and Pests of Monk Fruit
Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) is a perennial vine, also known as lalahan fruit, false bitter melon, and jinbuhuan. Its fruit is extremely nutritious, rich in vitamins and various sugars, and has the effects of relieving cough and reducing phlegm, clearing heat and moistening the lungs, with extremely high edible and medicinal value. Its cultivation history in our country is over 300 years. During the growth process, the breeding and spread of some diseases and pests seriously affect the growth of monk fruit and cause reduced yields. Now let's take a look together with the editor at the control methods for common diseases and pests of monk fruit.
1. Viral disease
Viral disease is the main disease of monk fruit. It mainly harms the leaves and fruits of the plant. After the leaves are infected, symptoms of chlorosis, deformity, and shrinkage appear, and sometimes blister-like leaf symptoms also appear. In the later stage, the leaves become thick, coarse, and hard, and gradually turn yellow, reducing the number of fruits set on the plant. Even after fruit set, the fruits cannot grow properly, often growing deformed, with weight far lower than normal fruits. This disease breaks out during high-temperature periods. The higher the temperature, the greater the damage caused by this disease.
Control methods: Choose virus-free seedlings and soil for planting, strengthen fertilizer and water management, increase the application of organic fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, and improve the disease resistance of the plant. Insecticides can be sprayed regularly to control aphids and prevent the spread of this disease. When the disease occurs, spray Antivirus No. 1 or 83 Zengkangji once a week, continuously spraying 2-3 times.
2. Anthracnose
Anthracnose mainly harms leaves, vines, and fruits. When infected, lesions appear. As time goes on, the lesions expand and turn brown. If not treated in time, the plant will wither and die. In humid environments, the affected areas rot, especially after harvest, causing large numbers of fruits to rot and affecting profits.
Control methods: Increase the application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to improve disease resistance. In the early stage of the disease, spray agents such as thiophanate-methyl and Lüheng No. 2, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times.
3. Root-knot nematode disease
Root-knot nematode disease is caused by root-knot nematodes harming the root system and tubers. It gets its name because after damage, galls of various sizes appear on the root system and tubers. It is a major disease affecting monk fruit production. Because its onset location is underground, there are no obvious symptoms in the early stage. In the later stage, the aboveground parts gradually wither and die due to lack of nutrients and water.
Control methods: Disinfect the soil before planting to kill root-knot nematodes. When planting, apply pesticides such as Fuqiduo into the holes to reduce the probability of disease occurrence.
4. Bud blight
Bud blight, as the name suggests, harms the young bud parts of the plant. When infected, the young leaf parts of the plant turn yellow, the young buds turn brown and die, and the growth nodes of the plant are damaged, preventing normal flowering and fruiting, and in severe cases leading to total crop failure.
Control methods: According to practical production experience, the occurrence of this disease may be caused by boron deficiency in the soil and soil acidification, so increasing the application of boron fertilizer can prevent this disease. If the soil is acidified, lime powder or plant ash can also be applied to adjust the pH.
5. Pests
The main pests of monk fruit include yellow squash beetles, red spider mites, stink bugs, termites, and flies. They mainly harm the leaves, young tender parts, and fruits of the plant, affecting the yield and quality of monk fruit. During outbreaks of pests, total crop failure or plant death may occur.
Control methods: Insecticides can be sprayed regularly to control pests, and targeted agents can also be used to control various pests.
The above are the control methods for common diseases and pests of monk fruit. We hope this can help you. To learn more about monk fruit cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to us.