Here’s a detailed guide on nursery pest and disease management for Aquilaria/agarwood seedlings, focusing on prevention, monitoring, and control:
1. Common Nursery Pests
| Pest | Symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids (Aphidoidea) | Curling or yellowing leaves, sticky honeydew | Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs |
| Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) | White cottony masses on stems and leaves | Remove manually; apply horticultural oil; maintain cleanliness |
| Thrips | Silvering or browning of leaves, distorted growth | Use sticky traps, neem sprays, or biological control (predatory mites) |
| Leaf Miners | Mines or tunnels on leaves | Prune affected leaves; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if infestation severe |
| Snails & Slugs | Chewed leaves | Handpick; use barriers (copper tape) or organic bait |
| Fungus Gnats (larvae) | Damaged roots in overly wet media | Avoid overwatering; use sterile media and biological nematodes |
2. Common Nursery Diseases
| Disease | Symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Damping-off (Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium) | Seedlings collapse, stem rot near soil line | Use sterile soil/media, avoid waterlogging, apply fungicide drenches, improve air circulation |
| Leaf Spot (Alternaria, Cercospora) | Small brown/black spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves; spray copper-based fungicides if necessary; maintain spacing |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Ensure proper ventilation; spray sulfur or potassium bicarbonate |
| Root Rot | Soft, dark roots; stunted growth | Improve drainage; reduce watering; apply biological control agents like Trichoderma spp. |
3. Preventive Measures
- Clean and Sterile Nursery Media
- Use sterilized soil or media mixtures; avoid contaminated compost.
- Good Airflow & Ventilation
- Prevent high humidity pockets that favor fungal growth.
- Proper Spacing
- 5–10 cm in trays; 15–20 cm in polybags for seedlings.
- Water Management
- Avoid waterlogging; water early in the day to allow drying.
- Regular Monitoring
- Inspect seedlings daily for early signs of pests or disease.
- Sanitation
- Remove dead leaves, debris, and diseased seedlings promptly.
- Disinfect tools and containers regularly.
4. Biological & Organic Control Options
- Beneficial Insects: Ladybugs, predatory mites, lacewings for aphids and thrips.
- Neem Oil / Insecticidal Soap: Effective for soft-bodied pests like aphids and mealybugs.
- Trichoderma spp.: Biological fungicide for root pathogens.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): Effective for leaf miners and caterpillars.
5. Chemical Control (Use as Last Resort)
- Use fungicides and insecticides sparingly, following label instructions and safety precautions.
- Avoid systemic chemicals on seedlings intended for resin or oil production, as residues may affect quality.
6. Key Takeaways
- Prevention is critical: Sterile media, spacing, and proper watering reduce most problems.
- Early detection: Daily inspections and removal of affected seedlings prevent outbreak escalation.
- Integrated approach: Combine cultural, biological, and minimal chemical methods for sustainable nursery management.
- Proper pest and disease management ensures high survival, healthy seedlings, and successful field establishment.
I can also make a visual nursery pest & disease management chart, showing common pests/diseases, symptoms, and control measures, ideal for training manuals or field guides.
Do you want me to make that visual chart?