What are the control methods for citrus exocortis?
There are many varieties of citrus, and the ripening season is from October to December. Citrus exocortis, also called peeling bark disease, mainly develops two years after the citrus is planted out. Common symptoms include cracked bark, dieback of small branches, yellowing of green leaf mesophyll, and severe flower and fruit drop. In some citrus varieties the symptoms appear as yellow blotches and longitudinal cracking. The disease can be spread through seedlings or budwood, and can also be transmitted by tools or dodder. So how should citrus exocortis be controlled? Below, the editor will teach you four little tips!
1. Plant induction method
Citrus exocortis has a certain latent nature, so how can you tell whether a citrus seedling is infected? We can use plants such as Gynura segetum, petunia, and citron to induce the symptoms of citrus seedlings to appear quickly. If the seedling carries the virus, we can use the shoot-tip grafting virus elimination method to cultivate virus-free seedlings. If it does not carry the virus, it can be cultivated directly.
2. Shoot-tip grafting virus elimination method
The shoot-tip grafting virus elimination method can inhibit the reproduction of the virus, so how is this method used? First, the shoot tip must be peeled off; this step is very critical. Take a stem segment of about 2-3 cm, strip off the large leaves, and rinse with water for about 1 h. Second, when cutting the stem piece, the smaller the stem piece, the lower the possibility that it carries the virus, but this does not mean that the smaller the stem piece when cutting, the better; too small a stem piece is not easy to survive.
3. Farm tool disinfection method
The transmission routes of citrus exocortis include farm tools, so knives, scissors, and other farm tools used on diseased trees also have the effect of spreading the virus. After using these farm tools, you can disinfect them with bleaching powder or alcohol. Exocortis is contagious, so everyone must strictly implement quarantine.
4. Disease-resistant rootstock method
For some citrus trees that tend to develop the disease, bridging or replacing with disease-resistant rootstock can be used to restore the tree vigor of the citrus trees. The main characteristics of common rootstock varieties are thick stem bark, easy grafting, and cold resistance, cold resistance, etc. This disease is somewhat contagious. If the pathogen is found, isolation must be done or the tree varieties must be kept away from diseased trees.
That is the end of how to control citrus exocortis. Exocortis is one of the important diseases harming citrus growth. Exocortis can infect many citrus varieties, causing fruit cracking, reduced yield, and other damage, so fruit growers should take preventive measures! If you want to learn more agricultural information, please continue to follow Qinnong Network!