Diseases and Pests of Clover and Their Control

Common diseases of clover and their control

Sclerotinia

Once clover is infected with sclerotinia, scars will form on the plant. They will appear light brown at first, and gradually change from light brown to grayish white. At this time, the base of the rhizome becomes soft and rotten, and the so-called sclerotia will grow. In mild cases, the plants will turn yellow with star-shaped yellow spots, while in severe cases, large areas will wilt and die. The method of prevention and control of sclerotinia disease is to first pull up the plants and deal with them in a centralized manner to reduce the spread. Pay attention to drainage during rainy seasons to avoid waterlogging. The second method is to use the common chemical pesticide - vinyl sclerotinia agent, which can rupture the sclerotium cells.

Viral infection

If the white clover is infected by a virus, it is difficult to control it with drugs. Methods such as seed disinfection, soil treatment, and killing of insect vectors can be used.

Common Clover Pests and Their Control

Leafhopper

It is an insect pest that lives on the underside of leaves and sucks the leaf sap. If the damage is minor, the leaves of the plants will turn green and small white spots will appear on the leaves. If the damage is severe, the entire leaf will appear pale, greatly reducing its ornamental value. The prevention and control method is to check in late April. If larvae are found, they can be killed with pesticides. The spraying should be even, not only on the leaves and backs, but also on the top and bottom, inside and outside of the plant.

Cutworms

As its name suggests, cutworms are extremely harmful to root buds. Some of them bite off the rhizomes on the ground. They can also eat the sprouts from the ground, causing the death of large numbers of plants. To prevent and control them, you can use venom to lure and kill them. You can also use furadan granules to kill them, with a dosage of 1500-2000 grams per mu. This drug has a long residual effect and can prevent harm 7-8 weeks after application.

White butterfly

It is one of the major pests of clover. From April to October every year, the white cabbage butterfly begins to "do evil". In the dry and hot summer season with little rain, the larvae can eat all the leaves, causing the growth of the affected plants to weaken. To prevent and control it, you can spray green worm fungus to kill it during the larval stage, or you can spread 2.5% dichlorvos powder in the morning when the dew has not dried, with a dosage of 3-4 kilograms per mu, which is more effective.