Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 345-357 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 346 A greener and more sustainable solution is urgently needed. This study aims to solve the problem at the source - by systematically screening pest-resistant Hangbaiju varieties and clarifying their resistance basis. Whether it is at the molecular level, field performance, or actual pest and disease resistance, we hope to find several good varieties to provide strong support for subsequent green planting. Only by starting with variety improvement can we reduce dependence on pesticides and truly achieve the sustainable development of Hangbaiju in terms of its dual value of medicinal and ornamental use. 2 Overview of Major Diseases and Pests in Hangbaiju 2.1 Fungal and bacterial diseases Hangbaiju (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is highly susceptible to a variety of fungal and bacterial diseases, which seriously affect its yield and quality. Leaf spot is one of the most common diseases, mainly caused by pathogens such as Alternaria spp. and Stagonosporopsis chrysanthemi, which manifests as necrotic spots on the leaves, followed by early leaf fall and reduced photosynthesis capacity (Liu et al., 2020). Root rot and wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporumwill cause root rot, plant wilting, and eventually death, especially under conditions of poor soil health or long-term continuous cropping (Guo et al., 2014). The infection cycle of these pathogens is closely related to environmental conditions. For example, warm and humid climates and dense planting patterns are conducive to the reproduction and spread of fungal spores, while soil-borne pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum can survive for a long time in contaminated soil, leading to repeated occurrence of diseases (Guo et al., 2014). Continuous monoculture, lack of crop rotation system and improper field management often provide favorable conditions for the survival and spread of pathogens, which can easily induce outbreaks of diseases. 2.2 Insect pests affecting Hangbaiju Aphids (Macrosiphoniella sanbourni) are one of the worst pests for Hangbaiju. They suck the juice from the plant, which makes it grow slowly. The leaves may curl up, and the flowers don’t look as good (Chen et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2021). Other bugs like thrips and leaf miners also cause damage. They eat the leaves and flower parts, making the plant look worse and grow poorly (Zhan et al., 2025). So far, people have found at least 14 kinds of insects that harm Hangbaiju. These bugs affect how healthy the plant is and how much it can produce, though the level of damage is not the same for each one. In addition to the damage caused by direct feeding, pests such as aphids and thrips often act as vectors for viral and bacterial pathogens, causing the disease to spread rapidly in the field and even across plots (Gong et al., 2019). This mode of transmission caused by vector insects makes disease prevention and control more complicated and often leads to mixed infections, which in turn increases the difficulty of governance (Gong et al., 2019; Zhan et al., 2025). 2.3 Current control strategies and limitations Right now, farmers mainly use chemical pesticides to deal with diseases and pests when growing Hangbaiju. But using these chemicals too much has made some bugs and germs harder to kill, so the pesticides don’t work as well over time (Chen et al., 2018; Zhan et al., 2025). Also, there’s worry that the chemicals left in the flowers might not be safe. This makes people question if the product is healthy and could hurt how well it sells (Guo et al., 2014). In recent years, some eco-friendly methods have started to show promise. For example, using rice straw biochar can make the soil better, lower the number of harmful germs, and help plants stay healthy (Guo et al., 2014). People are also paying more attention to integrated pest management (IPM). This includes things like rotating crops, planting different kinds of plants together, using helpful bugs to fight bad ones, and choosing stronger plant types that resist disease (Zhan et al., 2025). These ways try to fix the problems that come from using too many chemicals. As more people want green and chemical-free products, it’s important to grow plants in ways that are safer and better for the environment. But switching to these green methods isn’t easy. There are still a lot of problems, like farmers not knowing enough, the costs being too high, and the lack of strong, pest-resistant plant types (Guo et al., 2014).
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