What causes rotten heart in celery? Detailed explanation of causes and prevention and control methods
Rotten heart in celery is a rather serious disease. It causes the heart of the celery to become mushy and rot, making it unfit for normal consumption. It can occur throughout the entire growth stage of celery, and when seedlings are affected it is extremely severe, causing reduced yields in mild cases and total crop failure in severe cases, bringing huge economic losses to farmers. So what causes rotten heart in celery? How should it be prevented and controlled? Let's find out together with Qinnongwang.
1. Rotten heart from calcium deficiency
When celery lacks calcium, it is highly prone to heart rot, which leads to rotten heart, and this is also the main cause of rotten heart in celery. In the early stage of calcium deficiency, the growing point of the celery begins to turn brown, and over time gradually turns black until it dies. As the disease progresses, the damage gradually extends downward, invading the base of the stem, so that when the growing point is cut open, the interior is found to be hollow, rotten and smelling sour.
Prevention and control measures: Add an appropriate amount of calcium fertilizer to the base fertilizer before planting. In addition, spraying foliar fertilizer can also prevent it. Once the rotten heart caused by this appears, deal with it promptly and apply the right remedy, using agents for treating heart rot for prevention and control.
2. Rotten heart from boron deficiency
Boron deficiency can also cause rotten heart. When the boron content in the soil is too low, or the plants cannot absorb boron, and since celery is extremely sensitive to boron, when boron is deficient the plant grows deformed, the leaf veins begin to lose green, the heart leaves become brown and scorched, cracks appear on the stems, and after a period of time rotten heart develops.
Prevention and control method: Likewise, add an appropriate amount of boron fertilizer to the base fertilizer, or spray foliar fertilizer later on, preparing a 0.1% solution by mixing borax with water, spraying once a week for 3-4 consecutive times.
3. Black rot
Black rot is a fungal disease. The fungus often lurks in the soil and infects celery by invading from the base of the stem, causing rotten heart. In the early stage of the disease, grayish-brown lesions begin to appear on the infected parts, and as the disease progresses the lesions keep expanding and the color changes to dark green or blackish-brown. In the early stage of infection, the outside is not easy to detect, until the tissue under the skin ruptures and exposes the infected rotting tissue. The pathogen can spread through rain and soil.
Prevention and control method: Do a good job of soil disinfection to eliminate the pathogen. During rainy seasons, pay attention to rain protection measures, ensure good drainage and waterlogging prevention, and cut off the transmission routes. When diseased plants are found, spray 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 700-800 times dilution or 50% iprodione at 600 times dilution for prevention and control.
4. Soft rot
Soft rot is a bacterial disease. Plants grown in dark, damp environments are prone to infection, and it also spreads through water. The first site of infection is the stem or the base of the stem, spreading upward to the heart leaves. It is often confused with nutrient deficiency symptoms, but soft rot is characterized by feeling soft when pressed and being accompanied by a foul odor, so it is still fairly easy to identify.
Prevention and control method: Likewise, do a good job of disinfecting seeds, soil and water to prevent bacteria from these routes causing infection. When the disease occurs, spray 27% copper hydroxide suspension at 600 times dilution or 77% copper hydroxide wettable micro-powder at 500 times dilution for prevention and control.
The above is the causes of rotten heart in celery and prevention and control methods brought to you by Qinnongwang. We hope it can help you. To learn more about celery cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnongwang.