Latest Cost and Profit Analysis of Lotus Root Intercropping
Lotus root originated in India and was introduced to China very early. As early as the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, lotus root cultivation was already quite widespread. It can be eaten raw or cooked as a dish, and its medicinal value is quite high. Lotus root powder can help digestion and stop diarrhea, stimulate appetite and clear heat, nourish and strengthen the body, and prevent internal bleeding. During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, it was designated as a tribute item for the imperial kitchen. Now let us take a look at the costs and profits of lotus root intercropping!
Lotus Root Growing Environment
1. Temperature: Lotus root prefers warmth. Seed lotus roots can only sprout above 15°C. During the vigorous growth period, the temperature should be 20-30°C, and the water temperature should be 21-25°C. In the early stage of root formation, the temperature should also be relatively high to facilitate the swelling of the lotus root body. In the later stage, a large day-night temperature difference is required, around 25°C during the day and around 15°C at night, to facilitate nutrient accumulation and plumpness of the lotus root body. During the dormant period, the temperature should be kept above 5°C. Below 5°C, the lotus root is prone to freezing injury.
2. Light: Lotus root is a light-loving plant and is not tolerant of shade. It requires sufficient light during the growth period, and has no strict requirement for day length. Sufficient light in the early stage is beneficial to the growth of stems and leaves. Sufficient light in the later stage is beneficial to flowering, fruiting, and plumpness of the lotus root body.
3. Water: Lotus root must not lack water throughout the entire growth period. During the sprouting and growth stage, shallow water is required, with a water level of 5-10 cm being suitable. As the plant enters the vigorous growth stage, the water level should gradually deepen to 30-50 cm. Later, as the plant flowers, fruits, and forms lotus roots, the water level should gradually become shallower again, until the lotus root enters dormancy and overwinters, when the soil only needs to be fully moist or keep shallow water. If the water level is too deep, it tends to delay lotus root formation and make the root body thin and slender. If the water level rises sharply and submerges the lotus leaves for more than 1 day, it is likely to cause leaf death.
4. Soil: Lotus root grows best in loam and clay loam rich in organic matter. The soil organic matter content should be at least above 1.5%, and the soil pH should be between 5.6-7.5, with 6.5 being most suitable. Lotus root requires equal emphasis on the three major elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and there are also certain differences among varieties. For seed lotus types, the demand for nitrogen and phosphorus is relatively greater, while for root lotus types, the demand for nitrogen and potassium is relatively greater.
Early Lotus Root - Late Rice Model
1. Model advantages: Lotus root is planted from late March to early April and harvested in mid-July. Late rice is sown in mid-to-late June and transplanted in late July. This model has been applied relatively early and covers a relatively large area. It requires little investment and has stable benefits.
2. Technical points: Strengthen early-maturing cultivation management of lotus root, promote lotus root swelling, and ensure early yield and benefits. Late rice is managed conventionally.
3. Variety selection: Choose early-to-mid-maturing varieties, such as Elian No. 1, Elian No. 5, and Wuzhi No. 2.
4. Reasonable dense planting, with a conventional seed rate of about 450 kg per mu.
5. Reasonable fertilization: Apply sufficient base fertilizer and apply topdressing early. Apply 100 kg of ammonium bicarbonate, 50 kg of phosphate fertilizer, and 15 kg of potassium sulfate compound fertilizer per mu, and apply as much organic fertilizer as possible. When standing leaves begin to appear, apply 15 kg of urea per mu as topdressing. Because the base fertility of the lotus root field is relatively sufficient, late rice can be given less or no base fertilizer.
6. Economic benefits: Lotus root is harvested in mid-July, with a yield of 900 kg per mu, a price of 2.6 yuan/kg, and an output value of 2,340 yuan. Late rice has a yield of 450 kg per mu, 1.6 yuan/kg, and an output value of 720 yuan. The total output value of the two seasons per mu is 3,060 yuan. After deducting production costs, the annual profit is 2,300 yuan. In contrast, single-season middle rice has an average yield of 650 kg per mu, 1.8 yuan/kg, an output value of 1,170 yuan, and a profit of 800 yuan. Compared with single-season middle rice, this model increases income by 1,500 yuan per mu.
Early Lotus Root - Seleng Wormwood Model
1. Model advantages: After lotus root is harvested, seleng wormwood is replanted. Lotus root is cultivated with heat-preservation facilities, planted in early March, and harvested in stages from early June to early July. Seleng wormwood is planted in early August and harvested successively from late October to April of the following year (with heat preservation cover in winter). This is a new model promoted and applied in recent years.
2. Greenhouse construction: The greenhouse uses a steel-frame greenhouse, 6.0 m wide, 2.5 m high, and 50 m long. The medium greenhouse uses bamboo arches, 3-3.5 m wide, 1.5-1.7 m high, and 20-30 m long. The greenhouse is oriented north-south to facilitate ventilation.
3. Lotus root planting: Choose early-maturing and mid-maturing varieties Elian No. 1 and Elian No. 5. Plant early at the right time, in early March, 1 month earlier than open-field planting. Increase planting density, with a seed rate of 450 kg per mu. Apply sufficient base fertilizer and apply topdressing early, applying 75 kg of ternary compound fertilizer per mu, and topdressing 10 kg of urea when standing leaves appear. Harvest and market in a timely manner, usually in 2 harvests.
4. Seleng wormwood planting: In early July, after the lotus root harvest, drain the field water and sun the field for 20 days, then plow and harrow to prepare the land, applying 3,000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu. Build surrounding ditches and bed ditches well, with ditch depth of 25 cm and bed width of 1.2 cm. Cuttings are inserted in early August. The cuttings are 8-10 cm long and carry 2 full, un-sprouted axillary buds. Immediately after cutting, water thoroughly once and cover with a shade net. Water frequently to keep the bed surface moist. Ditch irrigation is suitable, and topdressing should be combined with irrigation. In late November, cover with film for heat preservation. The greenhouse temperature should be 18-20°C, and attention should be paid to uncovering the film for ventilation and dehumidification. It can be harvested 5 times a year until April of the following year.
5. Economic benefits: The first lotus root harvest is in early June, with a yield of 450 kg per mu, 8.0 yuan/kg, and an output value of 3,600 yuan. The second harvest is in early July, with a yield of 400 kg per mu, 3.0 yuan/kg, and an output value of 1,200 yuan. The total output value of lotus root from the 2 harvests is 4,800 yuan per mu. Seleng wormwood is harvested 5 times, with a yield of 3,000-4,000 kg per mu and an output value of 4,100 yuan. The total output value of lotus root and seleng wormwood in the two seasons is 8,900 yuan per mu. After deducting production costs, a profit of 6,570 yuan can be obtained. Compared with “greenhouse lotus root - late rice,” this model increases income by 2,900 yuan per mu. However, the model requires a certain amount of investment and more labor, but has high benefits and can help resolve the contradiction of many people and little land.