How to nurture and protect roots? Master these methods to easily achieve high yields
Every crop lives by its roots and dies by its roots. A strong and well-developed root system is the foundation for crop growth and high yields. In today's world where soil problems occur frequently, only by doing a good job in nurturing roots, protecting roots and strengthening roots can high yields and high efficiency be achieved.
?White roots have vigor, yellow roots preserve life, black roots mean disease, gray roots mean death
White roots have vigor. White roots are generally new roots or the tip portions of old roots. These roots have a strong ability to release oxygen, which can make the surrounding soil oxidized and keep the roots white. White roots have very strong physiological functions, and their vitality and absorption capacity are very strong, so it is said that white roots have vigor.
Yellow roots preserve life. Yellow roots generally appear on old roots and on the basal surface of roots. Because these roots are aged, the cell walls of the outer cortex thicken and become a yellow-brown iron film. This iron film has a protective effect and can prevent toxic substances from infiltrating into the interior of the root, but the absorption capacity of this root system is greatly weakened, so it is said that yellow roots preserve life.
Black roots mean disease. After long-term waterlogging, due to insufficient oxygen content in the soil, organic matter decomposes and produces a series of toxic substances such as hydrogen sulfide. When hydrogen sulfide combines with ferrous iron, ferrous sulfide (black) is formed and precipitates on the root surface, turning the roots black.
Gray roots mean death. If the soil lacks iron, hydrogen sulfide cannot be eliminated, which can inhibit the respiration and absorption functions of the root system and cause the roots to be poisoned and die. The symptom of hydrogen sulfide poisoning is that when the roots are pulled up and observed, the root system is gray and water-soaked, with a rotten egg smell, so it is said that gray roots mean death.
????Multiple measures to promote strong crop roots
Adjust the pH value of the plow layer soil. Long-term unreasonable fertilization leads to changes in the pH value of the plow layer, which is the root cause of today's soil problems. The recommended practice is to measure the pH value of the plow layer in the laboratory, and then select a special soil conditioner according to the situation.
Reasonable drainage and irrigation. It is recommended to adopt the method of frequent light watering or micro-irrigation or drip irrigation to protect the soil aggregate structure and facilitate root growth. For open-field crops in the rainy season, the drainage system is as important as the irrigation system, preventing both waterlogging disasters and root death.
Choose functional products. Functional water-soluble fertilizers containing humic acid or amino acids play a positive role in supplementing organic matter, increasing ground temperature, improving soil air permeability, and improving fertilizer utilization rate, and in nurturing roots, protecting roots and strengthening roots.
Intertillage and soil loosening. As the agricultural proverb says, "There is water and fire under the hoe," meaning that hoeing (intertillage and soil loosening) can improve crop drought tolerance (water) and at the same time effectively increase ground temperature (fire). Especially at the seedling stage of crops, when the root system has not yet fully developed, intertillage and soil loosening is one of the indispensable measures to increase ground temperature, enhance soil air permeability, and promote root development. (Dong Huaqi)