In recent months, the author visited several farms in Wulian and Liaocheng, Shandong Province, and observed a severe case of root rot in cowpeas grown in greenhouses. In some cases, entire greenhouse plots had lost productivity due to this disease. The issue is not limited to cowpeas but also affects kidney beans, with significant economic losses reported by farmers.
The primary causes of the root rot include continuous cropping without proper soil management, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, and the neglect of microbial inoculants. Additionally, improper sowing techniques and overly dense planting contribute to the spread of the disease.
To address this problem, several effective measures are recommended:
First, crop rotation combined with microbial inoculation is essential for long-term prevention. It's best to rotate cowpeas with crops like
Cabbage or onions for at least two years. If rotation isn't possible, after harvesting, when seedlings reach 5–10 cm in height, apply 3 kg of compound microbial fertilizer per mu (approximately 667 square meters) by irrigation. This method has shown excellent results in reducing root rot. Since many farmers grow cowpeas using intercropping methods, it's more practical to apply microbial fertilizers directly to the roots rather than treating the entire soil. The compound microbial fertilizer developed by the Soil and Fertilizer Research Institute of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Shandong Shenglong Bio-engineering Co., Ltd. contains five beneficial bacterial strains that improve soil structure, enhance the growing environment, and promote root development, effectively preventing root rot.
Second, using nutrient-rich seedlings and transplanting through careful selection can significantly reduce the incidence of root rot. Studies have shown that this method can lower the occurrence of the disease by up to 75%. Farmers can prepare their own nutrient soil by mixing 5 kg of "Golden Micro" microbial agent with 1 kg of potassium sulfate compound fertilizer or diammonium phosphate per 100 kg of dry fine soil. The ratio is 100:5:1 for soil, microbial agent, and fertilizer. After planting, irrigate with a diluted solution of compound microbial fertilizer (100 times). Before planting, you can also apply 50 grams of the microbial agent per hole or 10 grams of "Fugen" into the planting holes.
Third, chemical control can be used as an additional measure. Apply a 400-fold dilution of bacterial agent to the roots, or use a 20% collaborative ammonia bronze water agent at 400 times concentration to spray the base of the stems or irrigate the roots. Repeat this process every 7–10 days for 3–4 consecutive times. Each application should cover about 200–250 ml per plant.
By implementing these strategies, farmers can effectively manage cowpea root rot and improve overall crop health and yield.
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