What's eating my daikon 'april cross'?

Daikon 'April Cross' — a spring-sown hybrid — faces the same pest complex as other daikon. Root maggots (cabbage root fly) tunnel the taproot and cause rot, making them the most serious threat. Flea beetles damage the foliage at seedling stage. Brassica collars placed at planting are the single most effective control.

Maggots bore into the fleshy taproot causing brown tunnels and wet rot; above-ground symptom is sudden wilting despite moist soil Brassica stem collars at transplanting; fine mesh row cover over the bed; crop rotation — avoid brassica ground for at least 3 years

Shot-holes across seedling leaves; spring sowings can be heavily hit during warm dry spells when flea beetles are most active Row cover from sowing to canopy closure; sticky yellow traps to gauge pressure; kaolin clay spray

Colonies on leaf undersides; leaves yellow and cup downward; plant resources diverted from root development Insecticidal soap or neem oil; water jets; remove first-colonized leaves; avoid high-nitrogen feeds

Grazing on the exposed root crown and leaf bases; makes the upper root portion unmarketable Iron phosphate bait placed around each plant; copper tape on raised beds; hand-pick at dusk