Common Pests and Diseases of Goji Berry and Their Control Methods

1. Goji berry black fruit disease, also known as anthracnose. It damages fruits and leaves. ① When fruits are affected, circular irregular brown slightly sunken lesions first appear on green fruits, with small black dots arranged in concentric rings, and some lesions show orange-red sticky substance. In the later stage, diseased fruits turn black, become mummified and drop early. ② When leaves are affected, initially yellow small spots appear, later expanding into irregular lesions with reddish-brown edges, and in the later stage small black dots appear on the lesions, some of which rupture and perforate. The disease is severe in July to August when temperature is high and humidity is high.

Control methods: ① During winter pruning, cut off diseased and pest-infested branches together with fallen leaves and burn them in a centralized manner to eliminate overwintering sources of disease. ② Before flowering, spray 0.5 degree Baumé lime sulfur mixture; during the fruiting period, spray 80% Tuzet wettable powder 1000 times dilution, once every 7 to 10 days, for 3 to 4 consecutive sprays. ③ In summer, control water and fertilizer, heavily prune branches, and abandon summer fruits; in autumn, strengthen fertilizer and water management. ④ In the early stage of disease, spray 1:1:120 Bordeaux mixture or 50% carbendazim 800 times dilution for control.

2. Goji berry gray leaf spot. It damages leaves. Circular lesions with gray-white centers and brown edges appear on diseased leaves, and later pale black fruiting bodies appear on the underside of the leaves.

Control methods: ① Apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to improve disease resistance. ② Starting from June, spray 1:1.5:300 Bordeaux mixture or 65% mancozeb 500 times dilution, once every 7 to 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays.

3. Goji berry root rot. It damages the root crown. At the beginning of the disease, the fibrous roots turn brown and rot, then it spreads to the main root, which turns black and rots. In severe cases, the outer bark rots and peels off, leaving only the xylem, and finally the whole plant dies.

Control methods: ① When plants with yellowing leaves, shrunken branches, and dead lateral branches are found, remove them immediately, and disinfect the diseased holes with 5% lime milk to prevent spread. ② In the early stage of disease, drench the roots with 50% carbendazim 1000 to 1500 times dilution.

4. Goji berry leaf beetle, also known as golden flower beetle or meat egg beetle. It is a small beetle with a black head and thorax and a pair of yellow-brown elytra. Both adults and larvae damage leaves, causing them to be riddled with holes; in severe cases, the leaf mesophyll is completely eaten, leaving only the veins.

Control methods: ① In winter and spring, irrigate, loosen the soil, or plow the tree disk, which can kill some overwintering insects. ② In mid-April, when overwintering insects emerge from the soil, mix 1 kg of 5% carbaryl powder with 5 kg of fine soil and broadcast it on the ground, using 2 kg of pesticide per 667 sq m. ③ During the occurrence period, spray 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000 times dilution for control; do not use within 20 days before fruit harvest.

5. Other pests. For pests such as cutworms, white grubs, fruit-boring moths, shoot-tip rollers, and fruit flies, spray 40% dimethoate 1000 times dilution or 90% trichlorfon 800 to 1000 times dilution for control, or carry out manual capture and killing.