Identification and Control Methods for Goji Berry Pests and Diseases

(1) Black fruit disease. The pathogen is a species of ascomycete fungus (scientific name Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Sch. et Spauld). It is mainly prevalent in Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi and other places, and mostly occurs during the rainy season. Affected fruits, flowers and buds turn black, and under humid conditions the diseased parts produce orange-red slime, which is the conidial mass of the pathogen.

Control methods: ① Strengthen water and fertilizer management in winter and spring, prune lightly in autumn and winter to promote early ripening and higher yield of spring fruits; control water and fertilizer in summer, carry out heavy pruning, and abandon summer fruits. Strengthen water and fertilizer management in autumn to strive for autumn fruits; ② Before freezing, in combination with pruning, remove black fruits and diseased branches from the trees as well as dead branches, fallen leaves and fallen fruits on the ground, clear them out of the orchard and burn or bury them deeply. During the growing season, frequently remove diseased fruits, flowers and buds; ③ At the early stage of disease onset, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:120-160 or 50% wettable Tuzet at 1000 times dilution or 65% wettable zineb at 500 times dilution. Before flowering and fruiting, Tuzet and Bordeaux mixture should be the main agents; after flowering and fruiting, zineb should be the main agent, or the three agents can be used alternately, spraying once every 7-10 days or immediately after each rain.

(2) Psyllid, also known as yellow jaundice and soil louse. It belongs to the family Triozidae of the order Homoptera (scientific name Trioza sp.). It can cause damage from the time goji berries begin to sprout in spring until before October. Adults or nymphs use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to damage leaves, causing malnutrition. The control methods are the same as for aphids.

(3) Gall mite, also known as insect gall and mole mite. It belongs to the family Eriophyidae of the order Acarina, class Arachnida (scientific name Eriophyes sp.). It damages leaves, fruits and branch tips, causing galls.

Control methods: ① Do not use insect-infested branches for cuttings; ② Remove galls and take them out of the orchard for centralized disposal; ③ When goji berries sprout and leaf out in spring, spray 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000-1500 times dilution or 50% malathion emulsifiable concentrate at 1000-2000 times dilution or 50% phosphamidon emulsifiable concentrate at 1000-1500 times dilution, once every 10 days, for 3-4 consecutive times.

(4) Goji berry negative mud beetle, also known as golden flower beetle and meat egg insect, etc. It belongs to the family Chrysomelidae of the order Coleoptera (scientific name Lema decempunctata Scopoli). Adults and larvae bite and feed on leaves, causing notches or holes.

Control methods: ① After harvest, clean the orchard and eliminate residual plants; ② Avoid intercropping or continuous cropping with Solanaceae plants; ③ At the young larval stage, spray 90% trichlorfon at 800 times dilution or 50% phosphamidon emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times.

(5) Fruit fly, also known as fruit maggot. It belongs to the family Tephritidae of the order Diptera [scientific name Neoceratitis asiatica (Becker)]. Adults lay eggs inside the fruit skin, and after hatching the larvae grow and cause damage inside the fruit. The surface of the damaged fruit shows white spots and even deformity.

Control methods: In combination with fruit harvesting, remove maggot-infested fruits and bury them deeply in a centralized manner; during the adult occurrence period, spray 90% trichlorfon at 800 times dilution or 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution for control.