Detailed Explanation of Sunflower Planting Techniques and Field Management Key Points

The sunflower originated in South America. The domesticated species was brought from North America to Europe by the Spanish in 1510, initially for ornamental purposes, and was introduced back to North America from Russia at the end of the 19th century. It is cultivated throughout China and has very high cultivation value. The seeds are often roasted and eaten as snacks, and can also be pressed for sunflower seed oil. The oil residue can be used as feed. Let us now take a look at sunflower planting techniques together!

Sunflower Growing Conditions

1. Temperature: The sunflower is a crop that likes warmth and tolerates cold, with strong adaptability to temperature. The seeds have very strong tolerance to low temperatures. When the soil temperature is stable above 2°C, the seeds begin to germinate; at 4-5°C they can sprout and take root; when the soil temperature reaches 8-10°C, it can meet the needs of seed germination and emergence. Throughout the entire growth process, the sunflower can grow normally as long as the temperature is not lower than 10°C.

2. Water: The sunflower is a crop that consumes a relatively large amount of water. The plant is tall, with many dense leaves, and its water absorption is 1.74 times that of corn. However, because its growth and development mostly coincide with local rain and heat, the contradiction between water supply and demand is not prominent. The water requirements differ greatly at different growth stages. From sowing to budding, not much water is needed; from budding to flowering is the peak water demand period; from flowering to maturity, the water demand is also relatively high.

3. Light: The sunflower is a short-day crop and is not very sensitive to day length. It likes ample sunlight, and its seedlings, leaves and flower heads all have strong phototropism. With sufficient sunlight, the seedlings are robust and can be prevented from growing leggy. With sufficient sunlight in the mid-growth period, vigorous stem and leaf growth can be promoted, normal flowering and pollination can occur, and the seed-setting rate can be improved. With sufficient sunlight in the late growth period, the seeds are plump and full.

4. Soil: The sunflower has low soil requirements and can grow in all types of soil, from fertile soil to dry land, barren land and saline-alkali land. It not only has strong salt-alkali tolerance, but also has salt-absorbing properties. At the same time, the sunflower has a well-developed root system and strong drought resistance. Moreover, the sunflower's roots and stems have well-developed aerenchyma, making it very tolerant of waterlogging.

Sunflower Growth Cycle

1. Seedling stage: The period from emergence to budding in sunflowers is called the seedling stage, generally requiring 35-50 days, or 28-35 days for summer sowing. This period is the stage of leaf and flower primordium formation and floret differentiation. The seedling stage is the stage with the strongest drought resistance in sunflowers; aboveground growth is slow, while underground root growth is faster, quickly forming a strong root system.

2. Budding stage: From budding to flowering, sunflowers generally need about 20 days. This is a period when vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed together, and it is also the most vigorous stage in their life. This period has the greatest demand for fertilizer and water, accounting for about 40-50% of the total fertilizer and water demand. If the needs for water and fertilizer cannot be met in time, yield will be seriously affected.

3. Flowering stage: For a single sunflower head, from the opening of the ray florets to the completion of the opening of the tubular florets generally takes 6-9 days. From the second day to the fifth day is the full flowering period. The flowers mostly open at 4-6 am, and pollination occurs the next morning. Unpollinated stigmas can remain viable for 7-10 days, but the seed-setting rate of self-pollination is only about 3%, while the seed-setting rate of cross-pollination is high.

4. Maturity stage: The maturity stage of sunflowers refers to the stage from flowering to maturity, 25-55 days for spring sowing and 25-40 days for summer sowing, with differences among varieties. About 15 days after flowering and pollination is the seed formation stage. The maturity stage of sunflowers requires clear weather, a relatively large diurnal temperature difference and suitable soil moisture.

Sunflower Planting Techniques

1. Land selection and preparation: For sunflower cultivation, choose a plot with level land, medium fertility, convenient irrigation and drainage, and relatively low soil stickiness. Continuous cropping should be avoided. It reproduces by seeds, and peat soil is suitable for sowing. Before sowing, mix the seeds with Xin Gao Zhi Mo (New High Lipid Film), which can repel underground pests, isolate viral infection and improve the seed germination rate.

2. Timely sowing: The sowing time for sunflowers is generally March to April, and the suitable temperature for sowing is 18-25°C. Usually, they sprout about 5-7 days after sowing. The basic principle for choosing the sowing period is to sow appropriately early or late according to the patterns of saline-alkali occurrence, so that the seedlings avoid saline-alkali damage. Spring sowing or summer sowing is carried out according to the growth period of the variety.

3. Field inspection and replanting: The sunflower is a dicotyledonous crop, and it is relatively difficult for it to push through the soil and emerge. In addition, poor land preparation and sowing quality, or soil surface crusting after rain following sowing, or damage by diseases, insects, rodents and birds can all easily cause missing plants and broken rows. In order to ensure full emergence after one sowing, it is necessary to inspect field by field and row by row during the emergence period, and replant promptly where plants are missing in patches or rows.

4. Thinning and final singling: In sunflower cultivation, thinning should be done early to prevent seedlings from crowding each other, which would affect the cultivation of strong seedlings and even later yield. For saline-alkali land and plots with severe insect damage, the time for final singling can be appropriately delayed. At the same time, sunflowers should also be singled early, which is conducive to cultivating strong seedlings and also to flower head development. Final singling should be carried out at the 2-pair true leaf stage.

5. Cultivation and weeding: Sunflowers are generally cultivated 2-3 times, which serves to weed, loosen the soil, break up crusting, conserve water, reduce evaporation and alleviate saline-alkali damage. The first cultivation is carried out at the 1-2 pair true leaf stage together with thinning and final singling; the second cultivation is carried out 1 week after final singling; the third cultivation is completed before row closure together with trenching, hilling and fertilization.

6. Trenching and topdressing: Sunflowers relatively like fertilizer. Trenching and topdressing are usually carried out at the third cultivation, mainly with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, applying 5 kg of diammonium phosphate and 10 kg of urea per mu, mixed evenly and then applied to the soil. Trenching and hilling can effectively ensure the growth and development of secondary roots, prevent lodging and reduce basal branching below the cotyledon node.

7. Timely irrigation: Sunflower irrigation adopts the furrow irrigation method. Generally, for varieties with a plant height of 1.5 m, the first watering should be done at the bud stage, the second at the early flowering stage, and the third at the grain-filling stage. For varieties with a plant height of about 2 m, the first watering is done 4-5 days before flowering (in severe drought, irrigation is advanced), the second watering is 6-7 days after the first watering, and the third watering is at the grain-filling stage.

8. Pollination management: Sunflowers have a low seed-setting rate from self-pollination and a high seed-setting rate from cross-pollination. During cultivation, artificial supplementary pollination should be carried out in time, using methods such as matching flower heads, powder puffs and cotton gloves to transfer pollen, or collecting paternal pollen and gently applying it to the maternal stigma with a small brush. Pollination is carried out 3-4 times during the full flowering period.

How to plant sunflower seeds? Sunflower Sowing Methods and Field Management Key Points

Sunflowers can be planted in all four seasons, often mainly in summer and winter, and the flowering period can last more than two weeks. Besides resembling the sun in appearance, the flowers are bright and generous, suitable for ornamental display. Their seeds have even greater economic value, not only can they be made into the popular sunflower seeds, but they can also be pressed into low-cholesterol premium edible sunflower oil. Let us now take a look at how to plant sunflower seeds!

Land Selection and Preparation

For sunflower cultivation, choose a plot with level land, medium fertility, convenient irrigation and drainage, and relatively low soil stickiness. Continuous cropping should be avoided. It reproduces by seeds, and peat soil is suitable for sowing. Before sowing, mix the seeds with Xin Gao Zhi Mo (New High Lipid Film), which can repel underground pests, isolate viral infection and improve the seed germination rate.

Timely Sowing

The sowing time for sunflowers is generally March to April, and the suitable temperature for sowing is 18-25°C. Usually, they sprout about 5-7 days after sowing. The basic principle for choosing the sowing period is to sow appropriately early or late according to the patterns of saline-alkali occurrence, so that the seedlings avoid saline-alkali damage. Spring sowing or summer sowing is carried out according to the growth period of the variety.

Field Inspection and Replanting

The sunflower is a dicotyledonous crop, and it is relatively difficult for it to push through the soil and emerge. In addition, poor land preparation and sowing quality, or soil surface crusting after rain following sowing, or damage by diseases, insects, rodents and birds can all easily cause missing plants and broken rows. In order to ensure full emergence after one sowing, it is necessary to inspect field by field and row by row during the emergence period, and replant promptly where plants are missing in patches or rows.

Thinning and Final Singling

In sunflower cultivation, thinning should be done early to prevent seedlings from crowding each other, which would affect the cultivation of strong seedlings and even later yield. For saline-alkali land and plots with severe insect damage, the time for final singling can be appropriately delayed. At the same time, sunflowers should also be singled early, which is conducive to cultivating strong seedlings and also to flower head development. Final singling should be carried out at the 2-pair true leaf stage.

Cultivation and Weeding

Sunflowers are generally cultivated 2-3 times, which serves to weed, loosen the soil, break up crusting, conserve water, reduce evaporation and alleviate saline-alkali damage. The first cultivation is carried out at the 1-2 pair true leaf stage together with thinning and final singling; the second cultivation is carried out 1 week after final singling; the third cultivation is completed before row closure together with trenching, hilling and fertilization.

Trenching and Topdressing

Sunflowers relatively like fertilizer. Trenching and topdressing are usually carried out at the third cultivation, mainly with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, applying 5 kg of diammonium phosphate and 10 kg of urea per mu, mixed evenly and then applied to the soil. Trenching and hilling can effectively ensure the growth and development of secondary roots, prevent lodging and reduce basal branching below the cotyledon node.

Timely Irrigation

Sunflower irrigation adopts the furrow irrigation method. Generally, for varieties with a plant height of 1.5 m, the first watering should be done at the bud stage, the second at the early flowering stage, and the third at the grain-filling stage. For varieties with a plant height of about 2 m, the first watering is done 4-5 days before flowering (in severe drought, irrigation is advanced), the second watering is 6-7 days after the first watering, and the third watering is at the grain-filling stage.

Branching Protection

Sunflowers have the habit of growing branches from the leaf axils, mostly appearing from the budding to flowering stage, which vainly consumes nutrients and greatly affects yield and quality. At this stage, at least more than 3 rounds of pruning should be done. Pruning should be done "early and small"; tender small branches can be wiped off with one touch, saving effort and not damaging the stems and leaves. Take great care that the middle and upper leaves absolutely must not be removed. As for the lower old leaves in the late growth period, a small portion can be removed to facilitate ventilation and light penetration and reduce pests and diseases.

Passion Fruit Planting Techniques and Cultivation Management Key Points

Passion fruit, also known as egg fruit, is a tropical and subtropical perennial evergreen vine of the passionflower family, native to southern Brazil. Its leaves are uniquely shaped, its flowers are brightly colored, and it is evergreen all year round. Its fruit is an oval berry, with a single fruit weight of 60-120 g. The juice is clear yellow, fragrant and elegant, with the rich aroma of more than ten kinds of fruit such as pomegranate, pineapple, strawberry, lemon, mango and sour plum. Because of its special flavor, it is named passion fruit. Passion fruit is rich in protein, fat and niacin, and also contains sugar, vitamins and various compounds such as phosphorus, calcium, iron and potassium, as well as 17 kinds of amino acids, making it highly nutritious. Passion fruit has long been known as the "king of beverages." Its juice can be processed into pure natural high-quality drinks, which are not only unique in flavor and rich in nutrition, but also nourishing and health-building and helpful for digestion, and are in short supply on the market. It can also be processed into fruit syrup, jam, jelly and candied fruit. The whole passion fruit plant is a treasure. The seeds contain 25% oil, and the oil quality is comparable to sunflower oil, suitable for use as edible oil; the pectin extracted from the peel is a good stabilizer and thickener for food processing; the roots, stems and leaves can all be used as medicine, with effects such as reducing inflammation and relieving pain, promoting blood circulation and strengthening the body, and lowering blood lipids and blood pressure; the essence extracted from passion fruit is a good additive for pastries and alcoholic drinks.

The passion fruit planting industry and processing industry are in the ascendant and have great development potential. Passion fruit planted in the same year bears fruit in the same year, with a yield of about 110 jin per plant and an income of about 10,000 yuan per mu, and it can yield returns continuously for ten years. Therefore, growing passion fruit is a path to wealth with low investment and quick results.

Environmental Requirements

1. Temperature. The most suitable growth temperature for passion fruit is 20°C-30°C. Generally, it grows well at temperatures not lower than 0°C. At -2°C, the plant will be severely damaged or even die. Areas with an annual average temperature above 18°C are most suitable for planting.

2. Water. Generally, passion fruit grows best under conditions with annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm and even distribution. In areas developed for commercial planting, annual rainfall should not be less than 1000 mm.

3. Light. As a tropical fruit, passion fruit likes ample sunlight to promote vine growth and nutrient accumulation. Long-day conditions are conducive to flowering in passion fruit. In areas with an annual sunshine duration of 2300-2800 hours, passion fruit has good vegetative growth, more nutrient accumulation, fast vine growth, early fruiting and high yield.

4. Soil. Passion fruit has strong adaptability and low soil requirements. However, for large-scale production, the soil layer should be at least 0.5 m, and the soil should be fertile, loose and well-drained, with a soil pH of 5.5-6.5 being suitable.

Variety Selection

The passion fruit varieties currently widely planted include purple passion fruit, yellow passion fruit and hybrids, but the fruit-setting rate under natural pollination is about 10%-29.6%, so artificial pollination is needed. The purplish-red passion fruit introduced from Hawaii, USA, has a natural pollination fruit-setting rate of 60%, and also has high sugar content (14.4%-21.9%) and vitamin C content (49 mg per 100 g of pulp), strong aroma and high yield. It is harvested in the same year it is planted, with a yield of more than 2000 kg per mu.

Orchard Establishment

1. Site selection and reclamation. For passion fruit planting and development, the orchard site should be chosen in an area with relatively convenient transportation, facing the sun and sheltered from the wind, and with a relatively thick soil layer. It can be gentle sloping land, platform land or flat land, requiring deep soil, relatively fertile and well-drained, and preferably with irrigation conditions. Deep, fertile and loose sandy loam is more suitable. Heavy clay soil, tight sandy soil, cold sandy soil and places prone to erosion are not suitable for planting, or may be planted after improvement. Complete reclamation or hole reclamation can be used. For concentrated contiguous orchards, sloping land should be converted into terraced land, with a bed width of more than 1.1 m, sloping inward, and a small ridge 20 cm high and 30 cm wide built along the outer edge of the planting belt. The orchard's irrigation and drainage and road systems should also be planned and set up at the same time.

2. Trellising. Passion fruit is a climbing plant and depends on a trellis for support to grow normally. Trellis types include flat-top trellis, vertical fence type, ""-shaped and ""-shaped fence type, etc. Generally, the trellis height should be 1.8-2 m, and trellis materials can be chosen from cement posts, stone posts, wooden posts, bamboo poles, wooden poles, iron wire, etc.

3. Digging holes. Planting hole spacing is 4×5 m, with 25 plants per mu. Hole depth is 60×60×60 (cm). Apply 25 kg of farmyard manure and 0.5 kg of phosphate fertilizer per hole as base fertilizer.

4. Planting. Passion fruit can be planted in all four seasons, but spring and autumn are most suitable. Planting should be done on cloudy days or sunny days after rain. When planting seedlings, appropriately remove old leaves, and the nutrient bag must be broken open and removed, and must not be buried in the soil. When final singling, use an appropriate amount of decomposed organic fertilizer mixed evenly with sandy loam as planting soil or covering soil. When planting, straighten the root system, fill soil in layers, and press firmly. Water the roots promptly after planting. For newly dug planting holes, the seedling root crown should be slightly 8-10 cm above the ground surface when planting; after planting, form a tree basin and cover with grass or film to preserve warmth and moisture.

Orchard Management

1. Fertilization. For newly planted passion fruit, nitrogen fertilizer is mainly used in the early stage to promote plant growth. The root system begins to grow 10-15 days after planting, and 0.5% dilute urea or dilute human urine and manure can be applied, then applied once every 20 days thereafter, with 5 kg of decomposed human urine and manure or 0.1 kg of compound fertilizer per plant each time. Apply 20-30 kg of farmyard manure, 0.6-0.7 kg of urea, 0.6-0.9 kg of phosphate fertilizer and 1.2-1.3 kg of potash fertilizer per plant each year. Farmyard manure and phosphate fertilizer are composted and decomposed, then applied in trenches around the Beginning of Spring. Urea and potash fertilizer are applied once a month during the flowering and fruiting period, with 0.3-0.4 kg of mixed fertilizer per plant.

2. Irrigation. Passion fruit is a shallow-rooted plant that likes moisture, but both waterlogging and drought should be avoided. Therefore, first of all, drainage ditches should be opened well to prevent water accumulation in the orchard; at the same time, spread weeds to preserve water, and consider irrigating once if there is no soaking rain for 15 days.

3. Soil management. After winter clearing of the orchard, plow the whole orchard, and incorporate the weeds and residual branches and fallen leaves from clearing into the soil during plowing. Then broadcast 25-30 kg of lime per mu.

Fruit Tree Training

1. Training and trellising. After the small seedlings resume growth, remove buds once every 5 days to promote rapid and thick growth of the main vine. When the main vine grows to 40-50 cm, insert support posts in time to guide the main vine onto the trellis. After the main vine is on the trellis, frequently guide the side vines to grow in a spiral manner around the wire trellis. After the side vines fill the trellis, top them and tie them. The direction of the side vines is one branch per side, which helps to quickly produce fruiting branches that fill the trellis.

2. Training of young trees. Adopt the single main vine, double-layer, four-main-branch training method. When the main vine grows to 70-80 cm, retain 2 side vines and guide them separately onto the trellis as the first layer of main vines. When the plant grows to 150-160 cm, retain 1 strong side branch, which together with the extended shoot of the main vine serves as the second layer of main branches, and guide them separately in opposite directions onto the trellis to form a double-layer four-branch vine structure. During this period, all side branches and sprouting branches on the main vine below 80 cm and between 80-160 cm should be cut off or removed.

3. Training of old trees. The shoots sprouted after fruit harvest in the previous year almost all produce fruiting vines at the nodes above the middle. In the previous year, as many fruiting mother branches as possible should be retained, but in order to prevent the trellis surface from becoming too dense, pruning should be done as early as possible after fruit harvest. Keep vines according to 2 main branches. The branches near the trunk bear fruit first; after the fruit matures and is harvested, prune immediately to 2-3 nodes, and the buds sprouting again from the base of the main branch can form new fruiting branches. After the last batch of fruit is harvested in winter, all fruiting branches are pruned from the base.

Pest and Disease Control

1. Main diseases and control. The main diseases include damping-off at the seedling stage, mosaic disease, blight and stem base rot. The control methods are as follows:

① Choose clean soil for seedling raising, maintain field moisture, especially prevent the soil from being too wet, stay away from bananas, various melons and solanaceous vegetables, and promptly remove and burn diseased vines and diseased leaves.

② Chemical control: Use 0.5% Bordeaux mixture or 1000-fold solutions of phosethyl-Al, ridomil and kangulin, 800-fold 75% chlorothalonil, and 1000-fold 50% carbendazim wettable powder for control.

2. Main insect pests and control. The main insect pests include fruit flies, mites and scale insects. Use 800-fold 90% trichlorfon, 1000-fold Nongdile, 800-fold Lorsban, 2000-fold Miejisi, etc. for control.

Timely Harvesting

Generally, harvest 10 days before fruit drop, when the fruit color turns purple (purple varieties) or yellow (yellow varieties) or red (red varieties) and has a slight aroma, but fresh fallen fruit can also be picked up from the ground.