The Latest Efficient Lotus Root Cultivation Technique Tutorial

Lotus root belongs to the water lily family. The root is slightly sweet and crisp; it can be eaten raw or cooked in dishes, and its medicinal value is quite high. Every part of it - roots, leaves, flower stamens and fruit - is a treasure, all of which can be used as nourishing medicine. Made into powder, lotus root can aid digestion and stop diarrhea, stimulate appetite and clear heat, nourish and strengthen the constitution, and prevent internal bleeding. It is an excellent liquid food and nourishing delicacy for women, children, the elderly, and those who are weak and prone to illness. These guidelines set out the variety selection, production site conditions, cultivation, water level control, routine management, and pest and disease control measures for lotus root cultivation.

Cultivated Varieties

Shallow-water lotus root: lotus root varieties suitable for cultivation in water 5-30cm deep

1. Seed lotus root: lotus root used for planting. It should have the characteristics of the variety, a plump root head, intact terminal buds, a thick root body, small root nodes, a sturdy rear section, no pests or diseases, and bright color - either a mother lotus root, or a daughter lotus root that is sturdy, has at least 2 fully mature root sections, and intact terminal buds.

2. Loam soil: high-quality humus-rich soil for planting.

3. Lotus whip: the initially slender part of the rhizome.

Production Area Environmental Conditions

Requires loam soil with abundant water sources, flat terrain, convenient drainage and irrigation, and rich organic matter.

Production Management Measures

Variety selection: choose varieties with a suitable maturity period, high quality, high yield, strong stress resistance, and conformity with the consumption habits of the target market.

(1) Soil preparation

1. Application of base fertilizer. Before plowing (about 10 days before planting), apply 2500-3000 kg of decomposed manure per 667 sq m, and rake level promptly; apply 50 kg of quicklime per 667 sq m to disinfect the lotus pond and prevent the invasion of pathogens.

2. Choose a good lotus field and prepare the land well. Early-maturing lotus root requires a loam field with a good water source, sufficient sunlight, excellent water quality, fertile soil, and a deep soil layer. Prepare the land 10 d before field planting, with a plowing depth of 30-35cm; weeds should be turned under, and the field surface raked level (flatness within ±2cm).

(2) Planting

1. Preparation before planting. Before planting, clean the ditches thoroughly; the water level in the drainage ditch should be lower than the field water level to facilitate drainage.

2. Planting time. This should be when the daily average temperature reaches about 15°C, generally in the first or middle ten days of April.

3. Planting density. The planting density is about 250 plants per 667 sq m, with a plant and row spacing of 150cm×200cm. 4. Planting method. First place the seed lotus roots in the field at a plant and row spacing of 150cm×200cm, with the buds of each plant in adjacent rows arranged in a staggered manner, the buds on all sides pointing inward, and the other rows also oriented in the same direction. The buds in the field should be evenly oriented. When planting, insert the front part of the seed lotus root obliquely into the mud at 25°, with the tail tip exposed 1-2cm above the water surface. Seed lotus roots should be planted as soon as they are dug.

(3) Field management

1. Water depth management. Before plowing the land, control the water level at about 2-3cm; after raking level, control the water level at about 5cm; from the planting period to the sprouting period, the water depth should be 5-8cm; from the emergence of standing leaves to the start of harvest, the water depth should be 10-15cm. Irrigate promptly during drought, and drain promptly when the water volume is too large, strictly controlling the water level.

2. Topdressing. Generally, lotus root should be topdressed two or three times: the first time when 1-2 standing leaves have grown after planting, apply 1000-1500 kg of decomposed manure. The second time when the rows close (about 30 days after planting), apply 1000-1500 kg of decomposed manure. The third time in late June, apply 50 kg of compound fertilizer per 667 sq m.

3. Fertilization method. Each time you fertilize, first adjust the water depth to 3-5cm, stir and mix the manure evenly with the water, and after 1-2 days adjust the water to the required depth.

4. Weeding. Before planting, weeds should be removed in conjunction with plowing and land preparation. During cultivation, carry out manual weeding three times: at planting, at the emergence of standing leaves, and when the rows close. The manual weeding method is to pull up the weeds, twist them into a ball, and tread them completely into the mud with the heads facing down.

5. Turning lotus heads. In order to distribute the lotus whips evenly in the field, or to prevent lotus whips from crossing the field ridge, the lotus whips in denser growing areas should be transplanted to sparser areas during the second weeding. The lotus whips are rather tender, so take special care during handling to avoid breaking them.

6. Harvesting. Lotus root is generally harvested in mid-to-late July. About 10 days before harvesting, first cut off the lotus stems to reduce lotus rust. Adjust the water depth to 3-5cm to facilitate harvesting.

Pest and Disease Control

(1) Control principles

“Prevention first, integrated control”. Give priority to agricultural control, physical control, and biological control, combined with scientific and rational use of chemical control, to achieve the goal of safe production and high-quality, pollution-free products. It is strictly forbidden to use pesticides that are explicitly prohibited by the state with high toxicity, high residues, or high bioaccumulation, as well as their mixed pesticide preparations. The application of pesticides shall strictly implement the provisions of GB4286 and GB/T8321.

(2) Cultivation control

1. Select disease-resistant varieties.

2. Pay attention to fertilizer and water management, cultivate strong seedlings, and improve the disease resistance of the plants.

(3) Chemical control

1. The main diseases of lotus root are lotus root rot and brown spot disease, which can be prevented by spraying with a 500-800 times solution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder.

2. The main pest is aphids, which can be controlled by spraying with a 400 times solution of abamectin (a biological pesticide) or a 500 times solution of Lvtudi No. 1 (a biological pesticide).

3. For the leaf-mining midge, spray with a 1500 times solution of 10% imidacloprid for control. The pre-harvest interval is 15 days.

4. When using chemical pesticides, the relevant provisions of GB4285 and GB/T8321 (all parts) shall be implemented.

5. Reasonably mix and rotate pesticides with different mechanisms of action to overcome and delay the development of pest and disease resistance.

6. Pesticides are generally applied after 4 p.m., which can prevent phytotoxicity.