Soursop trees are found in Africa, South East Asia, and South America. This type of tree has several uses, which include the following:
- Young green fruit with soft seeds which can be eaten as vegetables
- Ripe fruits are eaten as deserts
- Ripe fruits are also processed into jellies and jams
- The leaves of a Soursop have several health benefits and are used treating different kinds of ailments
- Guyabano drinks consist of Soursop juice. This juice consists of several essential nutrients such as Vitamin C
Like all trees, Soursop trees are also susceptible to pests and diseases. These pests and diseases can cause a great deal of damage to the tree, and in some cases, kill it.
Here are some of the pests that attack this tree:
Root Grubs
Root grubs are insects that feed on the roots of the trees. They usually prefer trees with fibrous root systems. They prefer to stay in locations where there is moisture.
These pests can cause problems like discoloration of the plant, wilting and abnormal plant height.
Mealy bugs
These are tiny insects with soft bodies. The mealy bugs that are visible are the females and these types of insects suck the juice out of the plants.
These pests prefer to target young trees and can lead to discoloration of leaves. After a certain period of time, the leaves fall off. These pests can also cause the fruits and vegetables to fall off early. Their excretions can lead to growth of fungus.
Carpenter moth
A carpenter moth looks similar to a butterfly and attacks trees, which have hard wood and a strong odor. These pests can build large tunnels in the wood. The larvae spend the winter in the tree and develop into pupa during the spring season.
Infected trees are at a risk of breaking down in the middle of a storm. These pests can also affect the appearance of the tree and make it look deformed.
Some of the diseases that can affect Soursop trees include the following:
Root rot
Root rot, as the name suggests, is a condition where the roots of the plant decay. It is a common problem and your tree is beyond saving once it contracts this disease.
Root rot usually occurs when the roots of the tree are not able to get sufficient water. As a result, the soil becomes dry and the roots are not able to get the essential nutrients that they need to survive and grow.
Anthracnose
Fungi in Colletotrichum are responsible for causing this disease in trees. It causes the plants to develop wet lesions on the leaves. In summers, pink spores cover these lesions. This disease leads to defoliation.
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