Detailed Explanation of Integrated Control Techniques for Ginger Bacterial Wilt

In recent years, ginger bacterial wilt has commonly occurred in ginger-producing areas. The disease generally appears in mid-to-late June (after the seed ginger is dug up). In the early stage of the disease, the main symptoms are dead seedlings and rotted hills, and it occurs until the harvest season. In mild cases, the rate of dead hills reaches 30-40%, and in severe cases, the rate of dead hills reaches 80%, causing serious yield reduction and even total crop failure. The pathogen of ginger bacterial wilt can overwinter in seed ginger and soil. When suitable temperatures occur, it spreads through flowing water and underground pests. The pathogen invades through the natural openings or wounds of ginger, causing the collapse and rotting of ginger tissues, and ultimately leading to the death of the whole plant. Therefore, when ginger is planted continuously in the same plot, the pathogen population is high and the disease is severe. In addition, ginger has an underdeveloped root system, prefers moisture but is not tolerant of waterlogging, tolerates potassium fertilizer, and requires relatively little nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. Therefore, in plots with poor drainage, severe water accumulation, and excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, ginger has weak disease resistance, and ginger bacterial wilt also occurs severely. According to the growth habits of ginger and the characteristics of the occurrence of ginger bacterial wilt, the following integrated measures should be taken to control ginger bacterial wilt.

I. Crop rotation for disease prevention. Choose new land to plant ginger and strictly implement crop rotation. In mountainous and hilly areas, it is advisable to choose newly reclaimed sloping land or sloping land where ginger has not been planted. For flat land, choose a place with higher terrain and convenient drainage and irrigation to plant ginger. In winter, turn the soil and let it freeze in clods to mature the soil. At the same time, apply about 50 kg of slaked lime per mu to disinfect the soil.

II. Disinfection for disease prevention. Select disease-free seed ginger and carry out disinfection treatment on the seed ginger. Before sprouting, the seed ginger should be sun-dried for 1-2 days on a sunny day, and weak and diseased ginger should be removed, leaving large and robust ginger pieces as seed ginger. If seed is retained or transferred from a diseased area, the seed ginger should be disinfected. A 1:100 dilution of formaldehyde (formalin) aqueous solution can be used to soak the seed ginger for about 1 hour, then remove the seed ginger and spread it on a straw mat, cover it with plastic film, and seal it for 6-12 hours; or use a 500-fold solution of "Jiangwenjing" to soak the seed ginger for about 1 hour, then remove and drain it; or use a 2000-fold solution of agricultural streptomycin to soak the seed for about 1 hour, and then sprout it. During the sprouting process of the seed ginger, diseased ginger should be picked out and discarded as soon as it is found.

III. Management for disease prevention. Scientifically manage fertilizer and water to improve plant disease resistance. Ginger is tolerant of fertilizer and especially needs a lot of potassium fertilizer. When planting ginger, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, with 2-3 tons of farmyard manure per mu. Apply more burnt soil ash and potassium-rich fertilizers. During the rhizome expansion period of ginger, apply 2-3 topdressings, and at the same time earth up to cover the hills, but be careful not to damage the root system. Ginger prefers shade and fears strong sunlight. Although it likes moisture and fears drought, it also fears waterlogging. Therefore, in the rainy season, there should be no water accumulation in the ditches. In the dry season, keep shallow water in the ditches to maintain soil moisture, but it must not submerge the ginger root system. If a 1 m high shade shed is built in summer and autumn, or melon crops are intercropped in the ginger field to shade light and lower temperature, it is beneficial to the growth of ginger.

IV. Early control. Generally, after the ginger seedlings emerge uniformly, begin using chemicals for protection, or in the early stage of the disease, pull out diseased plants and generally apply chemicals for treatment. Use agricultural streptomycin (each packet mixed with 50-75 kg of water), Yeqingshuang, amobam, and other chemicals to drench the hills for control.