Detailed Explanation of Fertilization Techniques and Precautions for Lotus Root Fields
Those who have grown lotus root know that lotus root needs nutrient-rich water for cultivation. As the saying goes, where there is nutrient-rich water, there must be fertile soil. The growth process of lotus root consumes a large amount of nutrients in the soil, causing the nutrients in the soil to become fewer and fewer, gradually unable to meet the growth needs of lotus root. Therefore, people who grow lotus root nowadays pay attention to also raising some fish and shrimp in the lotus root pond. This not only improves economic benefits, but the feces and residual feed of the fish and shrimp can also provide some nutrients for the growth of lotus root. However, the nutrients they can provide are also limited, so lotus root cultivation also requires certain topdressing techniques. Today, Qinnong Web will introduce to everyone the fertilization techniques for lotus root and the precautions for fertilizing lotus root fields.
The amount of fertilizer applied to lotus root is determined by the fertility of the soil itself. Usually, one mu of lotus root field requires 1500-2500 kg of human and livestock manure or barnyard manure. If green manure is used, 3000-3500 kg is needed. Applying barnyard manure can effectively reduce the rust spots attached to the lotus root body and improve the quality of lotus root. In deep-water lotus root fields, phosphorus is easily deficient, so in addition to the above organic fertilizers, 30-40 kg of calcium phosphate should be supplemented as base fertilizer. Below, let us take a specific look at the related matters concerning fertilization of lotus root fields.
1. Timing of Fertilization in Lotus Root Fields
During the growth and development period of lotus root, topdressing is usually done 2-3 times:
The first time is when standing leaves begin to appear. After intertillage and weeding, apply 750-1000 kg of human excrement and urine fertilizer per mu.
The second topdressing is when there are already 5-6 standing leaves, applying about 1000 kg of human excrement and urine fertilizer per mu.
The third topdressing is when terminal leaves appear. At this time, lotus root formation begins, and it is called lotus root topdressing. Apply 1500 kg of human excrement and urine fertilizer and 30-50 kg of cake fertilizer per mu.
2. Precautions for Fertilization in Lotus Root Fields
1. Fertilization should be chosen on clear, windless days, avoiding the midday sun.
2. Before each fertilization, drain the water so that the fertilizer can be absorbed into the water, then refill water to the original depth.
3. In deep-water lotus root fields, fertilizer is easily lost. Liquid fertilizer cannot be applied directly; solid fertilizer should be used. That is, heavily apply barnyard manure or green grass manure and bury it into the mud.
4. When using chemical fertilizer for topdressing, first fully mix the chemical fertilizer with river mud to make fertilizer mud balls, then apply them into the lotus root field.
3. Occurrence and Prevention of Diseases in Continuous Cropping of Lotus Root
1. Causes and Symptoms
After about 5 years of continuous cropping of shallow-water lotus root, due to poor soil aeration conditions, trace elements such as copper, iron, and zinc find it difficult to meet the growth needs of lotus root. In addition, when organic fertilizer is applied too little and nitrogen fertilizer topdressing is too much, physiological diseases are very easily induced.
This physiological disease begins in early to mid-May, and the peak incidence period is generally in the high-temperature season of July-August. At the initial stage of the disease, newly emerged leaves show slight wilting just after coming out of the water, the leaf veins gradually lose green color and become lighter, and brown spots appear on the leaf edges and gradually expand until the entire leaf dies.
2. Prevention and Control Methods
Plowing and turning the soil after 3-4 years of continuous lotus root cropping is the fundamental way to control diseases in continuous cropping of lotus root. In daily fertilization, organic fertilizer should be the main type, and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be controlled. At the same time, in spring each year when the water body of the lotus root field is relatively shallow, use 1-1.5 kg of copper sulfate, 2-2.5 kg of ferrous sulfate, and 25-30 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer per mu, bind them with dry fine soil, and broadcast them.
The above is what Qinnong Web introduces to everyone regarding fertilization techniques for lotus root fields and precautions for fertilizing lotus root fields. We hope it will be helpful after reading. Lotus root is rich in nutritional value. In addition to the rhizome being edible for us, the remaining parts can also be used as medicine.