Research News

A plant disease researcher from the Agricultural Biology Production and Services Center at Walailak University has recommended five methods for plant recovery to farmers in the southern region following severe flooding.



The recent flooding in several provinces of Southern Thailand, which inundated many farms for several days, has caused significant damage to plants. Flooding leads to root oxygen deprivation, impeding nutrient absorption and halting plant growth. The erosion of topsoil can also damage plant roots, making them more susceptible to pathogens.

 

Various microorganisms, including plant pathogens, thrive and proliferate in such conditions, further damaging plants by halting growth and increasing the risk of disease. This is particularly concerning for plants that are not tolerant to waterlogging, such as durian, which shows clear leaf wilting after being submerged for about three days. Other crops, such as citrus (Siam ruby pomelo), mangosteen, oil palm, and rubber, exhibit symptoms more slowly.



Associate Professor Dr. Warin Intana, a plant disease researcher and head of the Agricultural Biology Production and Services Center at Walailak University, stated that prolonged flooding can worsen damage to plants. Therefore, he recommends that farmers take the following actions:

1. Drain water from the farm as quickly as possible to allow the plant roots to receive adequate oxygen.
2. Avoid bringing heavy machinery onto the fields, as it can compact the soil and cause further damage to the plant roots.
3. Do not rush to apply high-salinity fertilizers, as they can cause root rot, especially in roots already injured from the flooding.
4. Spray beneficial microorganisms, such as Trichoderma, Metarhizium, Beauveria, or Bacillus bacteria, to help reduce the amount of pathogenic microorganisms and pests, thereby minimizing damage to weakened plants.
5. If plants are weak due to reduced nutrient absorption by their roots, foliar feeding with hormones can help, and this can be combined with beneficial microorganisms.



Farmers with questions or in need of further assistance can contact the Agricultural Biology Production and Services Center at Walailak University via their Facebook pages: ศูนย์ชีวินทรีย์มหาวิทยาลัยวลัยลักษณ์/ ไตรโคเดอร์มา ม.วลัยลักษณ์, Line: tcruwu, or by phone at 092-3293569/ 075-677200.