Detailed Explanation of Shallow-Water Lotus Root Cultivation Methods and Technical Key Points
To cultivate shallow-water lotus root, you first need to select a field with strong fertilizer and water retention capacity, convenient drainage and irrigation, and a soil pH of 6-7; select healthy, plump seed lotus roots with more than two nodes, intact and full terminal buds, and no damage to the lotus root body or nodes. Then, sow when the average temperature reaches 15°C or the water temperature in the pond stays above 5°C, placing the seed lotus root with the head tilted downward and the tail slightly raised above the water surface. Finally, complete the lotus root field management tasks.
1. Field selection: Select a field with strong fertilizer and water retention capacity, convenient drainage and irrigation, and a soil pH of 6-7. After selecting the field, plow it first and firm up the field ridges, apply base fertilizer, and rake it level in time so that the field soil becomes muddy.
2. Seed lotus root selection: Select healthy, plump seed lotus roots with at least two nodes, intact and full terminal buds, a relatively thick tail node, and no damage to the lotus root body or nodes. After selecting the seed lotus roots, dilute 50 g of 50% carbendazim wettable powder with water, spray the solution, and seal the seeds for 24 hours for disinfection.
3. Sowing time: Sow when the average temperature reaches 15°C or the water temperature in the pond stays above 5°C. If sowing is too early and the temperature is too low, sprouting will be slow and the lotus roots will easily rot; if sowing is too late, it will affect the later yield.
4. Sowing method: Use your hands to open a slanted trench 13-15 cm deep, place the seed lotus root with the head tilted downward and the tail slightly raised above the water surface. The planting density is 0.8 m between plants and 2 m between rows, with the lotus root heads arranged in a cross pattern, that is, the first plant's head facing left and the second plant's head facing right.
5. Lotus root field management
(1) Seedling growth stage: Keep the field water level at 5-10 cm; from sowing until the first standing leaf emerges, remove aquatic weeds in time; after the first standing leaf emerges, apply topdressing in time, applying 30 kg of calcium superphosphate per mu, and afterward spray the plants with water once every half month using a sprayer.
(2) Vigorous stem and leaf growth stage: The field water level should be kept at 25-30 cm; after the “rear handle leaf” appears, apply topdressing in time, applying 30 kg of urea per mu; feel the soil once every half month, and remove weeds and pick off floating leaves in time.
(3) Pest control: The main pests in lotus root fields are tobacco cutworm and aphids. For tobacco cutworm, use 100 g of 90% trichlorfon per mu, dilute with water, and spray for control; for aphids, use 10 g of 50% pirimicarb wettable powder, dilute with water, and spray for control.