The Latest Technical Guide to Post-Harvest Management of Chinese Chestnut
Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is grown in every region of our country. Many growers, after harvesting, pay no attention to the chestnut trees and fail to manage them in time, which leads to a serious decline in chestnut yields the following year. This is because the chestnut begins flower bud differentiation before it is even harvested, and after harvesting the tree lacks nutrients, resulting in poor quality flower bud differentiation, which in turn affects the yield the following year. So how should Chinese chestnut be managed after harvest? Let's take a look together.
1. Apply base fertilizer well
After harvesting the fruit, fertilizer should be applied in time to replenish the nutrients consumed by the tree, so that it quickly recovers its vigor, enhances the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves, and has sufficient nutrients for flower bud differentiation. In addition, applying base fertilizer well can also improve the plant's cold resistance for overwintering. Generally, for every 100 jin of Chinese chestnut produced, 10-12 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is consumed, so when applying base fertilizer, it should be determined according to the plant's yield and tree age.
2. Water to resist drought and overwinter
After harvesting, the tree loses a great deal of water, making the Chinese chestnut tree susceptible to drought, which causes branches and leaves to wither and drop, and in severe cases the root system can also dry up and die. Therefore, after harvesting, water in time, and water thoroughly. If the later climate is relatively dry, watering should also be carried out. Watering together with fertilizing can speed up fertilizer decomposition and absorption. In addition, before overwintering, water once with overwintering water, which can improve the plant's cold resistance and help it overwinter safely.
3. Loosen the soil and mulch
After harvesting, the soil within the Chinese chestnut tree canopy should be deeply turned once. Deep turning can be combined with fertilizing. After deep turning, earth up around the base to strengthen the plant's cold resistance. Before the cold wave arrives, pile some soil and miscellaneous fertilizer around the plant, with the trunk as the center, spread it flat on the ground, and after spreading, cover with a layer of fine soil and branches and leaves. This can raise the low temperature so the root system is not affected by low temperatures. When the temperature rises the following year, dig it open in time to increase permeability and reduce weeds.
4. Pest and disease control
After harvesting, promptly sweep together the fallen branches and leaves on the ground, then burn them or bury them deep in the ground. This can both provide nutrients for the plant and eliminate insect eggs and pathogens on the fallen branches and leaves, so as to prevent them from harming the plant the following year. The main pests and diseases of Chinese chestnut after harvest are powdery mildew and chestnut gall wasp, which can affect tree vigor. Spraying agents such as thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil can be used for control.
5. Reasonable pruning
After harvesting, the plant can be pruned in combination with fertilizing. Reasonable pruning can maintain the tree's shape and coordinate the plant's nutrient distribution. In addition, prune away some dense branches, diseased branches and diseased leaves to reduce the harm of pests and diseases the following year. The pruned branches and leaves should be taken out of the orchard and burned.
The above is all the content on post-harvest management techniques for Chinese chestnut. We hope it can help you. To learn more about Chinese chestnut cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to us.