How to achieve high yields with zucchini? Detailed explanation of key cultivation techniques
Zucchini, also known as eggplant melon, is grown in both northern and southern regions of China. It is a variant of pumpkin, similar in appearance to cucumber, and has relatively high nutritional value, with effects of clearing heat and quenching thirst, and reducing swelling and dispersing nodules. As market demand for it grows, many regions are cultivating it, but to maximize returns, it is necessary to master high-yield cultivation techniques. Let's take a look at the high-yield cultivation techniques for zucchini with Qinnongwang below.
1. Site selection and seed selection
Zucchini has a certain drought tolerance, but it is afraid of waterlogging, so it is suitable for planting on loose, sunny sloping land. Before planting, it is necessary to understand whether the previous crop conflicts with it, and also to check for pesticide residue issues. Pesticide residue is a major problem in today's cultivation industry, and in severe cases it can cause phytotoxicity and total crop failure. After choosing a suitable plot for planting, it is time to select high-quality varieties. When selecting seeds, choose excellent varieties that are early-maturing, high-yielding, and fast-growing, preferably the early green first-generation zucchini hybrid with trailing vine characteristics.
2. Sowing and seedling raising
Before sowing, the seeds must first be treated to increase the germination rate. First, sun-dry the seeds and soak them in warm water, or dress them with chemicals to eliminate and avoid carried pathogens, reduce seedling-stage diseases, and make the seedlings grow robustly. The sowing time depends on the local climate and planting season. In autumn, sow in September; in winter greenhouses, sow in October; and in spring, sow in November. There are strict standards for the sowing rate. Generally, sow about 400 grams per mu, with a sowing depth of 3 cm. After sowing, apply fertilizer and pesticide, and eliminate weeds.
3. Field planting
When the seedlings have grown to the point where they can be field planted, they should be field planted in time. The field planting density depends on the seedling variety and growth conditions. If it is a variety with a larger plant type and robust growth, it can be appropriately planted more sparsely; a plant spacing of 80 cm and row spacing of 140 is recommended for emergence, while generally 80 cm * 80 cm can be used, with 800-100 plants field planted per mu.
4. Fertilizer and water management
Zucchini has strong drought tolerance, so its water requirements are not high. Water once during land preparation in the early stage, and later watering can be combined with fertilization. Fertilization for zucchini is mainly organic fertilizer, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers can also be used. Before field planting, apply 5000-7000 kg of fully decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, along with a small amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer. During the seedling stage, water once and apply one topdressing of urea, which helps the seedlings recover. In addition, water and fertilize once when the fruit sets to ensure nutrient supply during fruit setting. In the full fruit stage, fertilizer and water management is especially important, requiring watering and fertilization once every half month, each time with 10 kg urea, 30 kg nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer, or 400-500 kg fully decomposed organic fertilizer per mu.
5. Field management
Field management mainly includes intertillage and weeding, temperature and light management, pruning and trellising, and artificial pollination. Generally, intertillage and weeding are carried out twice a year. The first time is at the seedling stage, when the seedlings have grown to 20 cm; the second time is when they have grown 5-6 leaves; later, it depends on the soil condition. During flowering and fruiting, the temperature must not exceed 30 degrees, and at night it must not be lower than 15 degrees. In addition, sufficient light must be maintained; during long periods of cloudy and rainy weather, artificial supplemental lighting can be provided. Timely pruning and trellising can increase planting density, extend the growth period, promote early fruit setting, and increase yield. Artificial pollination goes without saying: when pollination is poor or impossible for some reason, artificial assisted pollination is needed to increase yield.
The above are the high-yield cultivation techniques for zucchini brought to you by Qinnongwang. We hope they can help you. To learn more about zucchini cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnongwang.