A Detailed Guide to the Control Methods for Common Plum Pests and Diseases

Plums are a fairly common fruit. They taste sweet and tart and are rich in nutrients, so they are deeply loved by people, and plum trees are cultivated all over the world. However, in environments with poor management conditions, they are prone to pests and diseases. In mild cases, this affects plant growth and development as well as yield and quality; in severe cases, it can lead to total crop failure or plant death. So how should plum pests and diseases be controlled? Let's take a look.

1. Red spot disease

Red spot is one of the common diseases of plums. It mainly damages leaves, and in later stages damages fruit. When it damages leaves, red round lesions appear on the leaves, densely covered with small dark red granules. When the disease is severe, the lesions on the leaves become densely packed, and the leaves turn yellow and fall off. After the fruit is infected, round red-yellow lesions also form on the fruit surface, causing poor fruit growth or fruit drop and affecting yield.

Control methods: Spray lime sulfur mixture before bud break, and spray Bordeaux mixture during the flowering period for prevention. Strengthen orchard management, and burn or deeply bury diseased leaves and diseased fruit in a centralized manner to reduce pathogens. At the same time, pay attention to drainage measures to avoid excessively high soil moisture, which can induce this disease.

2. Bacterial shot hole disease

This disease mainly damages fruit. When it occurs, water-soaked small spots appear on the fruit skin. As the disease progresses, the lesions gradually turn dark red, and in the end the small spots perforate, forming small holes on the fruit surface. This disease is easily contracted in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. When tree vigor is weak and orchard drainage and ventilation are poor, the disease is more severe.

Control methods: Choose varieties with relatively strong disease resistance for cultivation, apply more organic fertilizer to improve plant disease resistance, strengthen ventilation, and pay attention to drainage. When the disease occurs, spray lime sulfur mixture and amobam for control.

3. Gummosis

Gummosis is also a relatively serious disease. It is rather difficult to treat, and it mainly damages the plant's new shoots. When it occurs, blister-like swellings appear on the branches, and after drying they form hard lumps, causing poor branch growth and affecting tree vigor. In severe cases, it causes the branches to die. Under high temperatures, the hard lumps crack open and gum flows out.

Control methods: In conjunction with orchard cleanup, thoroughly remove diseased branches and diseased plants and burn them promptly. In the early stage of the disease, spray diniconazole or a fungicide for control, once every 10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times.

4. Red spider mite

It mainly damages the plant's leaves. Adults and nymphs gather together and continuously suck sap from the leaves and newly sprouted branches and leaves, causing the growing nodes to be unable to continue sprouting and growing. In the end, the leaves gradually turn black until they fall off. When red spider mite damage is severe, it not only prevents fruiting in that year, but also affects bud differentiation and yield the following year.

Control methods: During the dormant period and before bud break at the Spring Festival, spray anthracene oil emulsion for prevention. After overwintering adults lay eggs and hatch, promptly spray tetradifon or omethoate for control.

The above is an introduction to the control methods for common plum pests and diseases. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.