What are the technical measures for interplanting perilla in a citrus orchard?

How to control red spider mites is a major challenge in citrus orchard management. Because red spider mites lay large numbers of eggs, have short life cycles, and overlap many generations, they are very difficult to control. Controlling them with pesticides not only increases the burden on fruit growers, but the results are also not particularly ideal. Here we introduce a simple and effective method for controlling red spider mites in orchards.

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is a traditional Chinese plant used both as medicine and food. It has been cultivated in China for more than 2000 years and gives off a unique aromatic scent. This scent is fatally harmful to red spider mites: it can suffocate female mites to death, prevent egg masses from hatching, and make it impossible for larvae to survive. The specific planting method is as follows:

At a rate of 50-100 grams of perilla seed per mu, mix with 3-4 kilograms of dry sand. After thoroughly mixing the seed and sand, scatter equal amounts between the rows of fruit trees in spring. After that, no management is needed. Seedlings can also be raised and then transplanted. When perilla has 2-3 true leaves, select strong seedlings in summer and transplant them into the citrus orchard, planting 1-2 plants each to the east, west, south and north at the drip line of the citrus canopy. When the perilla seedlings have 8-10 leaves, they can release enough aromatic compounds to inhibit the growth and reproduction of red spider mites.

Perilla has strong adaptability and can grow well in different soils. Its growing period is from April to November, which exactly coincides with the occurrence period of citrus red spider mites. Therefore, using it to control red spider mites is a time-saving and labor-saving method. It is worth noting that during the growing period of perilla, growth regulators must never be sprayed on the citrus trees, otherwise the perilla leaves will wilt and the plants will die.