What are the measures for overwintering and freeze protection of sugarcane? Master these methods for a safe winter
Sugarcane mostly comes to market in spring, but in fact sugarcane has already matured in winter. Winter is cold, which is not good for bringing it to market, so it is only brought to market when temperatures rise in spring. If harvested and stored in winter, once the storage time is too long, it will cause the sugarcane to lose water and is also prone to rotting, so many growers choose to overwinter it in the sugarcane field. However, the lower temperatures during overwintering can cause freeze damage to sugarcane, so overwintering and freeze protection measures are extremely important. Below, Qinnong Web brings several freeze protection measures for overwintering. Let's take a look together.
1. Smoke curing for freeze protection
In winter, when temperatures are low, frost is very likely to occur, causing the entire sugarcane field to yield nothing. We can raise the temperature by smoke curing to prevent freeze damage. Set up a smoke pile in a ventilated area of the sugarcane field, and burn it at night when temperatures are low, continuing until temperatures rise in the morning. This can generally raise the temperature by 1-30 degrees, but it must be done properly. If open flames are produced, it is also extremely harmful. It is only suitable for sparsely populated, open environments, and it causes some pollution to the environment.
2. Irrigation for freeze protection
Irrigation for freeze protection is suitable for arid areas, not for humid environments, otherwise it will have the opposite effect. Proper irrigation in the sugarcane field can not only enhance photosynthesis, but also increase yield and sugar accumulation, and increase soil moisture. During the day it stores heat, so that the soil cools slowly at night, thus achieving a freeze protection effect.
3. Increased fertilizer application
Winter temperatures are low, so we can find ways to raise the temperature, and fertilizing is also a relatively practical method. Before winter begins, apply phosphate fertilizer or heat-generating organic fertilizer as a top dressing, so that when the fertilizer decomposes it releases heat, which can not only raise soil temperature and the cold resistance of sugarcane, but also increase yield.
4. Plastic film mulching
In sugarcane fields where ratooning sugarcane is retained, before the frost season ends, the ridges must not be opened and the soil must not be loosened, so as to prevent the sugarcane root system from suffering freeze damage. If the frost is relatively severe, the fallen sugarcane leaves can be collected to cover the base of the sugarcane, or plastic film can be used directly for mulching. Sugarcane leaves can raise and maintain ground temperature and play a role in freeze protection.
The above are the sugarcane overwintering and freeze protection measures brought to you by Qinnong Web. There are many freeze protection measures for sugarcane, and only the common methods are listed here. We hope they can help you. For more agricultural knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.