How to prevent and control deformed zucchini fruits? A detailed guide to the latest methods
Zucchini is a very common cucurbit vegetable in our daily lives and is basically cultivated throughout China. When growing zucchini, if management is poor, many problems can arise. Deformed fruits are one of them, and deformed zucchini fruits can seriously affect the commercial value of zucchini. So how should deformed zucchini fruits be prevented and controlled? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
I. Causes of deformed fruits
There are many causes of deformed zucchini fruits. The first is problems caused by water and fertilizer. In the early fruit-setting stage of zucchini, if water and fertilizer are insufficient, it is very easy for zucchini to develop pointed-tip fruits, and later it is prone to narrow-waisted fruits. However, water and fertilizer should not be excessive either, otherwise large-bellied fruits are also easily formed. Moreover, if pollination is poor and pollen distribution is uneven, the parts that receive insufficient pollination will become sunken. Then there is temperature. Too high or too low a temperature will affect the photosynthesis of zucchini, leading to insufficient nutrients. Finally, defects in female flowers or bisexual flowers, etc., can all cause this.
II. Prevention and control methods
1. Fertilizer and water management
Zucchini has a relatively large demand for fertilizer and a very strong ability to absorb nutrients. Although it has strong drought tolerance, it needs a large amount of water during the fruit expansion stage, so care should be taken to keep the soil moist. At the same time, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, along with an appropriate amount of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer for topdressing. After each harvest of fruits, attention should be paid to topdressing once. The base fertilizer should mainly be farmyard manure, combined with an appropriate amount of cake fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, etc. Field moisture should be controlled and dried in the early stage, while during the fruiting stage it should be kept moist.
2. Temperature regulation
When growing zucchini, if it is early-maturing cultivation, then generally plastic film greenhouses with small tunnels inside should be used for heat preservation. The suitable temperature for zucchini growth is generally around 20-30 degrees. The optimal suitable temperature is around 20 degrees, and the soil temperature should be kept within the range of 18-23 degrees. Therefore, when growing zucchini, we should properly adjust the temperature according to weather changes. Reasonably uncover and cover the film, and especially pay attention to regulating the temperature according to temperature changes and the temperature requirements of zucchini, to promote nutrient accumulation and reduce the occurrence of deformed fruits.
3. Artificial pollination
In addition, we also need to carry out artificial pollination. Around 9 a.m. every day is generally the peak period for male zucchini flowers to open. At this time, remove the male flowers and then take out the corolla. Sprinkle the anthers onto the stigma of the female flowers. Generally, one male flower can pollinate about three female flowers. It is best to do this when the air humidity is relatively high, which can improve the pollination effect. Pollination should be ensured to be uniform. To preserve the fruit, hormone treatment can also be used. Apply agents such as 24d to the flower stalk or ovary, but they must not touch the stems and leaves.
The above is a brief introduction to the prevention and control methods for deformed zucchini fruits. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!