Lily seedlings should have field management strengthened early

Because last winter's temperatures were on the high side, lilies emerged earlier this year than in previous years. In Xinshao County, lilies began emerging in early March, about half a month earlier than usual. At present, underground pests have already begun causing damage; affected plants show yellowing above-ground stems and leaves, thin and weak growth, and purplish-red young stems. When the soil layer is dug open, the bottom layer of the seed bulb is seen to be rotten or the seed bulb is completely rotten, with no root system or with the root system bitten off. Since lilies emerge earlier, field management must keep pace accordingly.

Early control of underground pests: the pests currently damaging lily underground seed stems and their root systems include root mites, white grubs, and cutworms. Root mites: they generally parasitize lily seed bulbs in groups, causing the scales to rot and the leaves to wither and yellow. White grubs: these are the larvae of scarab beetles. They damage the roots or root-stem portions of plants, and the damaged areas show relatively neat cuts. This causes above-ground seedlings to wilt and yellow. Cutworms: they damage the root system, seed stems, roots and young seedlings, causing missing plants. In addition, there are also underground pests such as wireworms, nematodes, and termites. Control methods: per mu, use 25% acephate 1000x solution (50% malathion emulsion 800-1000x solution, malathion 800-1000x solution, or 25% phoxim 1000x solution may also be used), dexon 800-1000x solution (or 70% thiophanate-methyl 800-1000x solution), and 20% dicofol 800-1000x solution, 250 kg for root drenching. To control termites, mirex may be used; to control nematodes, fenamiphos may be used. Where underground pest damage is severe, the chemical solution may be used for root drenching twice. Intertillage, soil loosening, and topdressing: intertillage can raise soil temperature and improve soil permeability. Weeds should be picked out and removed to prevent them from regrowing after rain. In combination with intertillage, apply dilute human manure water (add 2-3 kg urea per mu). Around early April, apply 40-50 kg of 45% compound fertilizer per mu between the rows, or 100-150 kg of cake fertilizer.

Clearing ditches and draining water: lilies are dryland crops and are not tolerant of oxygen deficiency; under conditions of waterlogged soil and poor permeability, they are prone to disease. Therefore, on rainy days and after rain, never trample in the field, so as to avoid compacting the soil and causing the bulbs to rot. Where the rain-collecting area at the foot of hills is large, attention should be paid to opening or clearing flood-control ditches to prevent runoff from rushing directly into the lily field. Deepen the surrounding ditches and main ditches, frequently clear the ditches and drain water, and reduce field humidity. Plant adjustment: after emergence, pay attention to thinning seedlings, leaving one strong seedling per clump, and promptly remove excess tillers. When plant height reaches 40 cm, pinch off the growing tip so that the above-ground part is controlled at about 45 cm. Do the topping on sunny days, which helps the wound heal. After flower buds appear in late May, remove the flower buds promptly.

Above-ground pest and disease control: damping-off is the main disease at the seedling stage. This disease occurs commonly; after seedlings are damaged, the root-stem portion turns brown, constricts, and bends over and dies. After adult plants are damaged, the leaves turn yellow from bottom to top, until the whole plant turns yellow, withers, and dies. After emergence, spray 50% carbendazim 1000x solution 2-3 times; after disease occurs, pull out diseased plants, and disinfect the diseased area with 50% lime milk. Leaf blight: also called gray mold, it mainly damages leaves. The lesions are round or elliptical, varying in size, light yellow to light reddish-brown. In the early stage of disease, spray 50% procymidone 1000x solution 2-3 times, once every 5-7 days. Phytophthora blight: after leaves are affected, they look as if scalded to death by boiling water; under high-temperature and high-humidity weather conditions, the disease develops rapidly. In the early stage of disease, spray 40% phosethyl-Al 300x solution or 25% metalaxyl 2000x solution; 70% dexon 1000x solution may also be sprayed. Viral disease: it mainly shows symptoms such as mosaic on the leaves of diseased plants, plant stunting, and leaf crinkling. In the early stage of disease, use imidacloprid to control aphids, and on this basis spray healthy plants with virus A or xunduqing.