Farmers who grow bitter gourd often encounter the problem of tail rot during the fruiting period, which significantly affects the quality and yield of bitter gourd. So, what causes bitter gourd tail rot? Let's find out.
1. Gray Mold Disease
The tail rot of bitter gourd is likely caused by gray mold disease, a common disease of bitter gourd. After being attacked by gray mold disease, a large number of leaves may fall off, affecting plant growth, and causing fruit rot. To control it, you can spray with a dilution of 1500 times of carbendazim or iprodione, and if possible, foliar spray with potassium dihydrogen phosphate and calcium-magnesium fertilizer to supplement nutrients.
2. Phytophthora Blight
Phytophthora blight can also harm the fruit of bitter gourd, leading to tail rot. Symptoms include dark green lesions with indistinct margins and a white, powdery surface on the lesions. Spraying with a 10% solution of fluazinam or a 52.5% solution of metalaxyl-mancozeb, or fluopicolide for control, is recommended. Rotate the use of different fungicides.
3. Anthracnose
Anthracnose of bitter gourd can also cause tail rot. After anthracnose occurs, bitter gourd starts rotting from the middle, with dark yellow at the center of the lesions and golden yellow at the periphery. To control it, spray with a 700-fold dilution of 75% wettable powder of carbendazim or a 1500-fold dilution of 50% wettable powder of chlorothalonil, once a week for two consecutive weeks.
4. Fruit Fly
Fruit flies lay eggs inside bitter gourd fruits, and after hatching, the larvae feed on the fruit, causing yellowing, oozing, and ultimately, fruit rot. To eliminate the adult flies, spray with an 800-fold solution of 90% crystal dichlorvos.
5. Fruit Abortion
Some bitter gourds may rot without growing larger, without being infected by diseases. This is likely due to fruit abortion. The main reasons include closed space, poor photosynthesis, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient nutrients, possibly due to a lack of phosphorus, potassium, or calcium. Proper field management and fertilization are essential during bitter gourd cultivation.
The above are the reasons for bitter gourd tail rot. There are many factors that cause bitter gourd tail rot, mainly the ones mentioned above.
