How to manage cowpeas during the pod-setting stage? A detailed guide to the latest techniques
The scientific name of the cowpea is Vigna unguiculata, and its pods are very long, so it is also called the long bean. Its taste is very good, especially the tender pods, which are crisp and delicious. In northern China it is already a widely popular vegetable, and according to surveys, the popularity of cowpeas already ranks first in our country. The planting area is also growing larger and larger, so how to manage it has become the primary question for growers. Today, the editor brings you the management methods for the cowpea pod-setting stage.
1. Adjust the plants
Cowpeas are climbing plants, so during growth there must be a trellis to serve as a support point for the cowpea vines to extend. As the cowpea vines lengthen, until they have covered the entire trellis, you should begin pinching off the growing tips of the vines. The main purpose is to promote the growth of lateral branches on the vines. For branches with strong growth and excessive vegetative growth, reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer and prune the branches; otherwise they will compete with the main vine for nutrients and affect growth. Remove the old, aged, and pest- or disease-damaged useless branches and leaves at the lower part of the plant to improve air circulation and light penetration.
2. Fertilizer and water management
Before planting cowpeas, choose sandy soil that has not previously been used to grow legume vegetables, then before sowing apply an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer per mu, together with a small amount of compound fertilizer. After application, plow once every 5 days, for two rounds. Let the fertilizer and soil mix completely to enhance soil fertility. The organic fertilizer is mainly farmyard manure, and an appropriate amount of microbial bacterial fertilizer can also be added to the fertilizer to effectively improve the fertilizer conversion rate and promote plant growth. Cowpeas also have a high water requirement during growth, so we must also ensure water supply for their growth and development.
3. Spray foliar fertilizer
Spraying foliar fertilizer is a very important step in cultivation. As the growing period gradually enters summer, the temperature also gradually rises, and the intensity of the sun also increases with the arrival of summer. Cowpeas are not suitable for growing in high-temperature environments, which can reduce the pod-setting rate and cause fruit drop or premature aging. So at this time it is necessary to spray an appropriate amount of foliar fertilizer, which provides nutrients to the leaves while also effectively lowering the temperature. The specific spray amount depends on the pod growth and pod-setting rate, and it is generally sprayed once a week.
4. Harvest at the right time
Cowpeas also belong to the year-round multiple-harvest vegetables. The method for judging whether cowpeas are mature can be based on the flowering time; about ten days after flowering they are basically mature. When picking, note that you must prevent damage to the flower buds, and you must not directly pull the cowpea off the pod stalk, to prevent injury to the pod stalk that would affect later yield. Also, do not carry out picking work when the temperature is relatively high. Harvested cowpeas should have their moisture preserved in time and be sold on the market. The harvest time must not be too late; otherwise the cowpeas will become too old to eat and lose their value.
The above are the management methods during the cowpea pod-setting stage. Pay special attention to the harvest time. If harvesting is too late, the cowpeas will gradually become old and produce certain toxins. Friends who have watched a certain variety show all know that eating overly old cowpeas can cause poisoning in the human body, so you must grasp the harvest time well to ensure that your own economic interests are not damaged. That is all for today's introduction. To learn more wonderful information, please follow us!