Peony white feather disease prevention and treatment
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August 02 11:03:44, 2025
White Feather Disease is a well-known plant disorder in our country, affecting a wide range of flowers and plants. It has been reported to infect 26 different plant families and over 40 species. Once infected, the vitality of the host plant gradually declines, eventually leading to its death. Early detection of this disease is crucial for effective control and prevention.
Symptoms of the disease begin with the decay of the root system. Initially, a white or off-white silky network appears, spreading from the fine roots to the lateral and main roots. The affected rhizome becomes tangled with mycelium, and the soft tissues are eventually destroyed. The outer cork layer may encase the xylem, and in some cases, black round sclerotia can be found within the diseased roots. Above the rhizosphere, the above-ground parts of the plant turn gray or white, indicating severe infection.
A thin, gray-brown velvety film made of mycelium often appears on the surface, sometimes forming small black spots—these are the perithecia of the pathogen. At this stage, the plant’s above-ground parts weaken and ultimately die.
The pathogen responsible for White Feather Disease is *Rosellinia necatrix* (Hart.) Berl., which belongs to the phylum Streptomyces subcochlea. In its asexual stage, it is classified as *Dematophora necatrix*, an imperfect fungus. During this phase, old mycelium segments grow and separate into round spores. Follicular bracts and conidia are formed during the asexual cycle, typically after the host plant has completely rotted. Sclerotia, which are black and nearly spherical, form in decaying wood and can reach up to 5 mm in diameter.
The infection cycle begins when the pathogen survives in the soil as germs, mycelia, or through mycorrhizal or bacterial colonies. When environmental conditions are favorable, the seedlings or roots produce vegetative mycelium that invades the soft tissues of new roots. As the disease progresses, the fine roots become softened, decayed, and eventually disappear, spreading to the larger roots. Diseased roots can also transmit the disease through direct contact, and long-distance spread occurs via the movement of infected seedlings. The pathogen has a broad host range, affecting many types of trees.
Control measures include selecting disease-free nursery stock and conducting strict inspections before planting. If infected seedlings are detected, they can be treated by soaking them in a 10% copper sulfate solution, 20% lime water, or a 70% thiophanate-methyl solution diluted 500 times for one hour. Alternatively, a 47°C warm water bath for 40 minutes or a 45°C warm water treatment for one hour can help eliminate fungal hyphae on the roots.
In addition, trenches should be dug around the infected areas, at least one meter deep, to prevent the spread of the disease. Infected trees should be removed promptly, and affected forests should be treated to prevent further contamination. Proper management practices, such as eliminating waterlogging, applying balanced fertilizers (especially nitrogen and potassium), and regular pruning, can help strengthen the plant's resistance and reduce the risk of other pests and diseases.
Lastly, crop rotation in nurseries is essential. After a period of growing susceptible crops, the nursery area should remain fallow or be used for non-host plants for 5 to 6 years before replanting. These combined strategies are vital for managing and controlling White Feather Disease effectively.