The browning of the heart in celery can be attributed to several factors, and effective control can be achieved by addressing the underlying causes. Understanding the symptoms and applying targeted treatments are key to managing this issue.
**Heart Rot Symptoms**: Initially, the inner leaves and veins of the celery heart turn brown, with the leaf margins showing necrotic spots that gradually darken. As the condition progresses, the heart becomes soft and rots. This is a physiological disorder caused by calcium deficiency. Common causes include continuous cropping without adequate calcium fertilization, leaching of calcium due to heavy rainfall, excessive nitrogen application, insufficient water supply, root rot, or nematode infestations that impair the plant's ability to absorb calcium. To manage this, it's essential to apply calcium-rich fertilizers, ensure proper irrigation, and address any root health issues. If a calcium deficiency is detected, foliar sprays of 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be applied every 20 days for effective correction.
**Boron Deficiency Symptoms**: Early signs include thickened, shortened, and inward-curving petioles, with brown discoloration on the inner surface of the affected areas. The tissue may crack, leading to twisted and split petioles. In severe cases, the edges of young leaves turn brown, and the heart and inner leaves die off. This is a physiological problem caused by a lack of boron. Many regions suffer from low boron levels due to long-term monoculture of crops that require high boron, combined with insufficient use of boron fertilizers. To prevent this, apply 1 kg of multi-element boron fertilizer per acre as a base fertilizer before planting. During the early growth stages, spray a 0.2% to 0.3% solution of multi-element boron fertilizer two to three times for optimal results.
**Black Rot Symptoms**: This disease typically affects the base of the roots and petioles, sometimes extending to the root itself. The infected areas turn black and begin to rot, with black spots forming on the surface. The plant’s growth slows down, and the outermost 1–2 layers of leaves fall off due to base rot. Black rot is a fungal disease. Control measures include using disease-resistant varieties, seed treatment, and proper agricultural practices. In the early stages, spraying 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder diluted at 500 times or 77% copper hydroxide wettable powder at the same concentration can help manage the infection effectively.
By understanding these conditions and implementing timely, appropriate interventions, growers can significantly reduce the occurrence of browning and other related issues in their celery crops.
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