What is “rotting neck disease” in ginger, and how can it be distinguished from stem soft rot? What are the most effective methods for its prevention and control?
Release Date:
2020-06-11
Recently, some vegetable farmers have reported that it is easy to confuse ginger stem base rot with ginger stem soft rot in the field, as both diseases tend to occur under conditions of high temperature and high humidity, often leading to plant lodging. So what are the key differences between these two diseases, and how can they be effectively managed?
Differences in clinical symptoms
Ginger stem base rot:
Commonly known as “rotten neck disease.” After onset, near the bottom of the trench, at ground level… Both the aerial and underground stems exhibit yellow-brown lesions. , it develops from the outside inward, causing the aerial stems and leaves to turn yellow, wilt, and eventually die, while the underground tubers become browned and rot. The smell is fishy and pungent, acrid and unpleasant. ; The root system gradually undergoes necrosis and rot, resulting in abnormal growth of the new ginger rhizomes, with a pale yellow, dull skin and browning, blackening of the internal fleshy layer. The young ginger is gradually rotting.
When the disease first appears, it initially causes the tips and margins of the lower leaves to lose chlorophyll, turning orange‑red and then orange‑yellow; the discoloration subsequently spreads across the entire leaf and gradually extends upward to the upper leaves, eventually… Plant yellowing and lodging 。
It is also known as conventional bacterial soft rot. After the onset of the disease, the aboveground stem portion, 5 cm above the soil surface, becomes soft and rots. Near the base, the aerial stems remain green and grow normally, and the affected areas are odorless. ； The underground tubers are developing normally, with no signs of rot. ; The root system is well-developed and exhibits normal growth; the new ginger rhizomes and daughter rhizomes are growing normally, with the aboveground stems showing symptoms only above the affected area. The stems and leaves remain a normal green color. , after the plants lodge, they gradually dry out in the sun, with the dried leaves still retaining a light green color.
Differences among pathogenic bacteria
Ginger stem base rot disease The pathogen is Pythium aphanidermatum, which belongs to the oomycete group within the kingdom Fungi.
Ginger stem soft rot disease It is a bacterial disease caused by Erwinia carotovora.
The difference between transmission routes and disease‑causing conditions
The pathogen overwinters in the form of mycelium on ginger rhizomes or in the soil. Infected rhizomes, diseased plant residues, and contaminated soil serve as the primary sources of initial inoculum. The disease is spread by irrigation and can disseminate rapidly; high temperature and high humidity facilitate its swift expansion. Once established, the disease readily permits bacterial invasion, leading to mixed and cross‑infections.
Pathogens overwinter in diseased plant residues in the soil, serving as the primary source of initial infection; they are spread by irrigation, and high temperature and high humidity can lead to severe outbreaks of the disease.
Ginger stem soft rot disease It is a bacterial disease caused by Erwinia carotovora.
Commonalities in Prevention and Control
First, Control temperature and humidity by using shade nets and frequent, light watering to reduce temperatures; increase ventilation and decrease the frequency of watering to lower soil and air humidity. Ensure there are multiple vents, but keep them relatively small.
Secondly, Management practices should vary depending on soil type; for example, sandy soils may require more frequent watering, while clay soils should be watered less often.
Thirdly, Switching from flood irrigation to drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler irrigation can reduce leaf and stem diseases in ginger and also minimize the risk of pathogen transmission via irrigation water.
Differences in prevention and control
Due to the presence of pathogens in the soil or on ginger planting material, the disease can spread through irrigation or soil covering and is highly contagious. Even with crop rotation for more than three years, the disease may still occur; therefore, it is necessary to… Steam the soil first, then sow the seeds. 。
Select ginger rhizomes free from pest and disease damage. Before planting, apply 35 kg per mu of 98% metam sodium granules, and conduct deep tillage, rotary tillage, mulching, and fumigation in affected fields. Crop rotation and returning straw to the field can help reduce the incidence of this disease.
After sowing, fungicide and insecticide treatments are required. Once the ginger sets have been arranged in the ginger furrows, apply 100 mL of a 32.5% benzoic acid–azoxystrobin suspension per mu, along with 40 mL of a 3% metiram–fludioxonil–azoxystrobin suspension, diluted in 15 kg of water. Spray the ginger seeds, then cover them with soil.
Alternatively, after sowing, apply 5 kg per mu of a 2% formulation of cyproconazole–azoxystrobin granules by broadcasting it into the ginger furrows. It can also be carried out after the ginger seeds have been laid out and the soil has been covered. Foliar application of fertilizer Apply 100 mL of a 32.5% benzo·pyraclostrobin suspension concentrate, 80 mL of a 3% prothioconazole·fludioxonil·pyraclostrobin suspension concentrate, and 500 g of a 50% metalaxyl·mancozeb wettable powder per mu via drip irrigation; repeat the application once after an interval of 60 days, for a total of two applications.
Use 30 grams of 46.1% copper hydroxide water-dispersible granules diluted in 15 kilograms of water. Spray the lower and middle parts of the stems and the bottom of the furrows. Alternatively, a 46.1% copper hydroxide water-dispersible granule formulation can be diluted at 50 g per 5 kg of water and applied to the affected stem areas.
In the field Increase ventilation ， Reduce the frequency of watering, delay watering, or apply small amounts of water. ， After reducing humidity and temperature, the condition can be significantly alleviated. , the control efficacy is superior to that of chemical pesticides, and this disease It is not contagious to ginger planted next year. . For severe outbreaks of soft rot, if the disease cannot be brought under control, the greenhouse film may be removed. Source: Chinese vegetables
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