Winter jujube cultivation requires a comprehensive approach to pest and disease management. Preventing and controlling pests is essential for maintaining high-quality fruit production. The principle of "prevention first, integrated control" should guide all practices. By implementing preventive measures before or during the onset of pests and diseases, farmers can make full use of environmental and biological factors that suppress infestations. This creates conditions that are unfavorable for pests and diseases, reducing their impact on the crop.
Integrated pest management (IPM) combines agricultural, physical, and biological methods with chemical control as a supplementary tool. Agricultural practices include selecting disease-resistant seedlings, proper planting density, pruning to improve air circulation and light exposure, removing diseased branches, clearing debris, scraping bark, and whitewashing tree trunks. Covering the ground with mulch and applying balanced fertilization also support plant health.
Physical control methods take advantage of pests' behaviors, such as using sweet or sour traps, tying grass around trunks, and employing light traps to capture insects. Biological control involves introducing natural predators like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, as well as using fungi like *Beauveria bassiana* to target specific pests. Pheromone traps can disrupt mating cycles, reducing pest populations naturally.
Chemical treatments should be used sparingly and only when necessary. Farmers should prioritize bio-based, mineral-based, and low-toxicity synthetic pesticides. It's crucial to monitor pest levels and avoid unnecessary applications. When needed, apply the correct dosage at the right time to ensure effectiveness without harming beneficial insects or the environment.
Fruit bagging is another effective technique, especially in areas where pesticide use is restricted. It protects the fruit from pests and environmental damage while enhancing appearance and coloration.
Timely flower opening is critical for quality fruit development. Before and after the flowering period, most winter jujube trees produce 5–8 flowers, with the top flower being the highest quality. Proper incision techniques are important—cutting the bark with a sharp knife, ensuring uniform width, and avoiding damage to the inner layers. After the cut, applying a diluted solution of monocrotophos helps prevent beetle infestation. This process should allow the wound to heal within 30 days.
After the incision, it's important to prune the tree by removing excess shoots and thinning out the fruit. In mid to late June, thinning is done to ensure each tree bears one fruit per branch, improving fruit size and quality. Early fruit thinning reduces physiological drop, leading to more uniform growth and better overall yield.
Fertilization plays a key role in supporting tree vigor and fruit development. Foliar sprays of urea, borax, and potassium phosphate are applied every 15 days after thinning. From late August to early September, applying potassium-rich fertilizers helps enhance fruit sweetness and storage ability. This includes foliar sprays of potassium sulfate and wood ash leachate, along with root applications of potassium sulfate.
To prevent pre-harvest fruit drop, spraying 20–30 ppm nitric acid twice six to eight weeks before harvest is effective. Harvesting should be done in stages, ideally when the fruit is half-red, to avoid over-ripening and maintain quality for transport and storage. Hand-picking is recommended to preserve the fruit’s stem and reduce damage.
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