Common diseases and prevention of saffron (crocus)

Saffron Diseases - Sclerotinia

disease

Sclerotinia disease mainly harms bulbs and seedlings. If the bulbs are improperly stored in summer, they are prone to disease and cause the entire bulbs to rot.

Prevention and treatment methods

When storing bulbs, injured or diseased bulbs must be removed to prevent bulb deterioration and infection and spread of pathogens.

Then spray 500 times diluted 50% thiophanate wettable powder for prevention and control.

Saffron Diseases - Mosaic Disease

disease

In the early stages of mosaic disease, the leaves are distorted, yellow stripes appear on the leaves, and the plants become dwarfed. In the later stages, irregular necrotic spots or stripes appear on the leaves. The diseased plants have small flowers during the flowering period, and plants with severe disease basically do not bloom.

Once the plant is infected with the disease, it is difficult to cure and it will accompany the disease throughout its life. Moreover, as the growth time increases, the diseased plant bulbs will become smaller year by year and eventually lose their value.

Precautions

When planting, choose high-quality bulbs. It has strong disease resistance and there are no disease spots on the bulb surface.

During the maintenance process, spray disinfectants frequently to kill bacteria and place the plants in a cool and ventilated place for maintenance. Timely supplementation of nutrients can enhance the disease resistance of plants.

Saffron Diseases - Rust

disease

Rust disease mainly harms the leaves of saffron, especially on the back of the leaves, causing rust spots on the leaves, affecting the appearance.

Prevention and treatment methods

Disinfect the seeds or bulbs before planting and mix them with 15% oxycarboxin. During the maintenance period, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote plant health and improve disease resistance.

Clean up dead branches and leaves in time, and cut off the remaining flowers after flowering every year. And if you find diseased leaves, remove them immediately to avoid infecting other plants.

In the early stage of the disease, spray 15% triadimefon 500 times diluted 1 to 2 times; during the disease period, spray 97% sodium dimethoate 300 to 400 times diluted, spray once every 10 days, and spray 2 to 3 times in a row.

Saffron Diseases - Root Rot

disease

Infection by root rot bacteria can occur throughout the entire growth stage, especially in the seedling and flowering stages where the disease is more serious. After the disease occurs, the plants wilt, turn light yellow, and eventually die.

Prevention and treatment methods

When diseased plants are found, they should be removed and burned in time to prevent infection to surrounding plants. Sprinkle some quicklime or furadan in the holes of the diseased plants. It is recommended to change the soil and replant other plants after the plant’s roots have rotted.