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What are the control methods for cherry root gall disease?

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The gorgeous cherry blossom is deeply loved by people, but it is prone to a deadly root gall disease. This disease mainly occurs on the roots and on the trunk and side branches of the aboveground part of the cherry tree. In the early stage of the disease, the root crown swells into spherical or hemispherical tumor-like growths; young galls are white, soft in texture, and smooth on the surface. Later the galls gradually enlarge, become hard in texture, brown or dark brown, with a rough, cracked surface, and spread gradually from the root crown to the main root, lateral roots, and even fibrous roots, with each node swelling into tumors of varying sizes, causing the cherry tree to grow slowly or even stop growing, and the whole tree dies within 3 to 5 years

The gorgeous cherry blossom is deeply loved by people, but it is prone to a deadly root gall disease. This disease mainly occurs on the roots and on the trunk and side branches of the aboveground part of the cherry tree. In the early stage of the disease, the root crown swells into spherical or hemispherical tumor-like growths; young galls are white, soft in texture, and smooth on the surface. Later the galls gradually enlarge, become hard in texture, brown or dark brown, with a rough, cracked surface, and spread gradually from the root crown to the main root, lateral roots, and even fibrous roots, with each node swelling into tumors of varying sizes, causing the cherry tree to grow slowly or even stop growing, and the whole tree dies within 3 to 5 years. The disease incidence is higher in seedlings, especially at the graft union of the scion and rootstock of grafted seedlings.

This is caused by bacteria of the genus Agrobacterium. It spreads with air and rainwater, and wounds are easily infected. Control methods:

1. Strictly enforce quarantine. Destroy diseased seedlings on the spot when found, and prohibit the purchase of diseased seedlings.

2. Practice crop rotation. In plots where cherry root gall disease has occurred, thoroughly dig out and burn the diseased trees and diseased roots, replace the tree species, and do not plant cherry trees again within 3 years.

3. Physical control. In late autumn and early winter or early spring when the cherry tree is dormant, dig up the diseased tree, cut away all root galls, apply 500-1000 ppm oxytetracycline to the wounds, and transplant it to a disease-free area with better site conditions for careful management.

4. Chemical control

① Before the rainy season arrives, irrigate the affected area with 300-400 times diluted "402", once every 10 days, for 3 consecutive applications, with relatively good results.

② If symptoms are found during the growing season, promptly dig open and excise the tumors, apply 1000-2000 ppm streptomycin or 500-1000 ppm oxytetracycline to the wounds, and then bury them well.

③ Disinfect the soil with cobalt chloride or mercuric chloride water.

④ Before planting seedlings, soak the roots in 500-1000 ppm streptomycin for half an hour, or soak them in 1% copper sulfate solution for 5 minutes, rinse with clean water, and then plant.

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