Practical Methods for Vegetable Management in Low-Temperature Weather

Low temperatures adversely affect vegetable growth, causing vegetables to drop flowers and fruit, and causing root and stem base rot in autumn vegetables. In response to the above situations, the following suggestions are put forward:

????Open-field vegetables should adopt protective measures:

1. Strengthen field management to promote strong seedlings, and carry out intertillage and weeding to increase soil aeration; drain water promptly after rain to prevent waterlogging damage.

2. Spray pesticides promptly to prevent diseases; broad-spectrum fungicides such as chlorothalonil and carbendazim can be used; for pests, insecticides such as phoxim and cypermethrin can be used for control.

3. Harvest in a timely manner according to weather conditions.

????Protected cultivation vegetables should adopt protective measures:

1. Close the shed openings when it rains to prevent rainwater from entering the shed; ventilate promptly after the rain stops; lower the temperature and remove moisture to prevent physiological diseases.

2. Shed temperature management. Strengthen insulation and temporary heating measures, and cover the straw curtains with rain- and snow-proof plastic film. In low temperatures, heating measures such as warm-air furnaces should be adopted. The temperature in the shed at night should not be lower than 6°C. When the shed temperature is too high, ventilate slightly; when the temperature is low, temporary heating measures such as electric heaters can be used to raise the temperature.

3. Shed lighting management. In current cloudy and foggy weather, the straw curtains must be uncovered during the day. In cloudy and foggy weather, straw curtains should be uncovered as early as possible and covered as late as possible to increase scattered light. During continuous cloudy days, reflective screens, sunlight lamps, etc. should be used for supplementary lighting.

4. Fertilizer and water management. Minimize watering in the shed. When watering is needed, water lightly. It is best to use water-saving irrigation methods such as drip irrigation under film or furrow irrigation under film to reduce humidity in the shed. During continuous cloudy days, 1%-3% sugar or 1% monopotassium phosphate can be sprayed on the leaves to supplement plant nutrition and improve resistance.

5. Prevent the "seedling flash phenomenon." After cloudy days suddenly turn clear, prevent the plants from suffering "seedling flash." On the morning of the second day after continuous cloudy days turn clear, after uncovering the straw curtains, pay attention to observing changes in the plants. When the plants are found to be wilting, do not use ventilation and cooling, as this will cause "seedling flash." The correct method is, upon finding the plants wilting, put back part of the straw curtains. After the plants recover to normal, uncover the straw curtains again. When the plants wilt again, pull back another part of the straw curtains, and at the same time spray nutrient solution on the plants to supplement the plants' water and nutrients. Repeat several times until the plants recover to normal.

6. Timely prevention and control of pests and diseases. Pay attention to the occurrence of pests and diseases. In the shed, insect-attracting sticky traps should be used to prevent pests such as whiteflies and aphids. After diseases occur, dust agents or smoke agents should be used promptly for disease prevention, with emphasis on strengthening the prevention and control of diseases such as gray mold and phytophthora blight.

7. Plant management. Reasonably thin flowers and fruit, and promptly remove old leaves and diseased fruit in the field to reduce the nutritional burden on the plants. During continuous cloudy days, avoid pruning and removing side shoots to prevent viral infection and reduce the occurrence of diseases.

8. For fruit vegetables in cold sheds, harvest promptly according to the situation. Wu Yutai