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Rational application of pesticides in cucumber production
In the management of cucumber pests and diseases, the use of pesticides plays a crucial role. When applied properly, it ensures effective control, reduces the number of applications, lowers costs, improves vegetable quality, and increases yield. However, improper application can lead to environmental pollution, excessive pesticide residues in crops, development of pest resistance, and higher production costs. Therefore, the principle should be: "timely, appropriate, reasonable, targeted, unified, safe, and efficient."
1. **Targeted Application**: It is essential to apply the right pesticide for the specific pest or disease. Different pests have different habits and prefer different parts of the plant. For example, diseases like downy mildew, gray mold, powdery mildew, and rust require spraying on the underside of leaves. In contrast, diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spot, and leaf rot should be sprayed on the upper surface.
2. **Timely Application**: The timing of pesticide application depends on the life cycle of the pest. For instance, insect pests often develop resistance as they grow, so the best time to spray is before the third larval stage. For borers like cotton bollworms, fruit flies, and thrips, using traps can significantly improve effectiveness.
Climate also plays a key role. Pesticides like trichlorfon and phoxim work better at higher temperatures, while pyrethroid insecticides like deltamethrin perform better in cooler conditions. Insecticides with systemic action are most effective when applied in the afternoon or evening, when humidity rises and temperature drops, reducing volatility. Microbial insecticides, which are sensitive to light and moisture, should be used during foggy weather.
3. **Appropriate Concentration**: The concentration of the pesticide directly affects its efficacy. Too low a concentration may not be effective, while too high a concentration can waste resources, harm beneficial insects, and even damage the crop. It's important to adjust the concentration based on the toxicity of the pesticide, pest density, weather conditions, and crop type.
4. **Proper Application Method**: Different pests and situations call for different application techniques. For underground pests, methods like soil drenching, baiting, and root irrigation are effective. Seed treatments with chemicals or warm water soaking can prevent seed-borne diseases. In protected cultivation, misting is more efficient than spraying, as it provides uniform coverage, quick results, and doesn’t increase humidity.
5. **Rotation of Pesticides**: Long-term use of the same pesticide can lead to resistance. Alternating between two or more similar pesticides helps maintain effectiveness and delay resistance development.
6. **Mixing Pesticides**: Combining two or more pesticides can enhance their effect, reduce the number of applications, lower labor, and broaden the range of control. However, mixing must be done carefully to ensure compatibility and avoid harmful interactions.
7. **Safe Application**: Most pesticides are toxic to humans and animals. Strict adherence to safety regulations is necessary to prevent poisoning. Highly toxic and residue-prone pesticides should be banned, and eco-friendly biological pesticides should be preferred whenever possible.
8. **Phytotoxicity Management**: If phytotoxicity occurs, symptoms may include leaf discoloration, wilting, yellowing, and necrotic spots. If the wrong pesticide is applied, rinse the leaves 2–3 times with clean water. For alkaline pesticides, adding vinegar to the water can neutralize them. For acidic ones, adding lime can help. In greenhouses, proper ventilation is essential to remove harmful fumes.
After leaf damage, affected parts should be removed promptly to prevent further spread. Increasing the plant’s water content and applying foliar fertilizers like Plant Life, Bao, or BR-120 can aid recovery. Cucumber plants are especially sensitive during the seedling and flowering stages, so caution is needed. Applying pesticides at midday, when temperatures are high and humidity is low, can increase the risk of phytotoxicity. The best time to spray is between 3–4 PM when conditions are more favorable.