In recent years, both indoor and open-field cucumber farming have largely adopted grafting to combat cucumber wilt disease. This involves using squash or Southern Rootstock No. 1 as the rootstock, and fine cucumber varieties as the scion. Grafting has proven highly effective in controlling Fusarium wilt, with success rates exceeding 99%. However, recently, many farmers have reported that grafted cucumbers are still suffering from wilt disease. Some greenhouses have seen infection rates between 10% to 30%, with some reaching up to 50%. Wilt disease typically occurs during the seedling stage, leading to plant death and significant yield loss.
Why is this happening? To find out, we visited Wang Jingsen’s cucumber greenhouse in Wang Huang Village, Qudi Town, Jiyang County. Cucumber wilt, also known as sickle wilt, is a serious disease that affects plants at all growth stages. Symptoms include wilting, discoloration of roots and stems, and brown vascular bundles. Seedlings show curled cotyledons and shriveled stems, while mature plants develop yellowing leaves that wilt during the day and may eventually die. Cracks on the stem base and moldy spots are also common signs.
Upon inspection, it was found that the main issue was poor root management during cultivation. Wang Jingsen did not properly treat the roots, allowing secondary roots to grow downward and undermining the graft's effectiveness. Cucumbers tend to produce adventitious roots, especially when planted too deep or when vines touch the soil. These roots can penetrate the soil, negating the protective benefits of grafting.
To manage Fusarium wilt effectively:
1. Avoid planting grafted seedlings too deeply. Early root pruning is essential to prevent adventitious root formation. If disease appears, promptly clean the roots.
2. Control temperature and humidity. The optimal infection temperature is 24–25°C, with high humidity (over 90%) increasing the risk. Soil temperatures around 15°C and prolonged moisture favor disease development.
3. Treat the soil before transplanting. Apply 50 micrograms of "Micro-Micro" microbial agents per 667 square meters using the "ditch and acupuncture" method. This helps increase beneficial microbes and reduce disease incidence.
4. Use chemical control early. Solutions like 12% copper oxychloride or 50% copper citrate can be applied at 350–400 times dilution. Alternatively, use "Golden Micro" at 300 times or 50% carbendazim at 500 times for root irrigation, repeating every 5–10 days for 2–3 applications.
By following these practices, farmers can significantly reduce the risk of wilt disease even in grafted cucumbers.
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