Detailed Explanation of Post-Harvest Management Techniques for Chestnut
Chestnuts are grown in every region of China, and many growers pay no attention to the chestnut trees after harvest and do not manage them in time, resulting in a serious decline in chestnut yield the following year. This is because chestnuts begin flower bud differentiation before they are even harvested, and after harvest the tree lacks nutrients, leading to poor quality flower bud differentiation, which in turn affects the yield the following year. So how should chestnuts be managed after harvest? Let's take a look.
1. Apply base fertilizer well
After harvesting the fruit, fertilizer should be applied in time to replenish the nutrients consumed by the tree, so that it quickly recovers its vigor, enhances the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves, and has sufficient nutrients for flower bud differentiation. In addition, applying base fertilizer well can also improve the plant's cold resistance for overwintering. Generally, for every 100 jin of chestnuts produced, 10-12 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is consumed, so when applying base fertilizer, it should be determined according to the plant's yield and tree age.
2. Water to resist drought and overwinter
After harvest, the tree loses a great deal of water, making chestnut trees prone to drought, which causes branches and leaves to wither and drop, and in severe cases the root system can also dry up and die. So after harvest, water in time, and water thoroughly. If the later climate is relatively dry, watering should also be carried out. Watering together with fertilizing can speed up the decomposition and absorption of fertilizer. In addition, before overwintering, water once with overwintering water, which can improve the plant's cold resistance and help it overwinter safely.
3. Loosen the soil and mulch
After harvest, deeply turn the soil within the chestnut tree's canopy once. Deep turning can be combined with fertilizing. After deep turning, earth up around the base to strengthen the plant's cold resistance. Before the cold wave arrives, pile some soil and miscellaneous fertilizer around the plant, with the trunk as the center, spread it flat on the ground, and after spreading, cover with a layer of fine soil and branches and leaves. This can raise the low temperature so the root system is not affected by low temperatures. When the temperature rises the following year, dig it open in time to increase permeability and reduce weeds.
4. Pest and disease control
After harvest, promptly sweep together the fallen branches and leaves on the ground, then burn them or bury them deep underground. This can, first, provide nutrients for the plant, and second, eliminate the insect eggs and pathogens on the fallen branches and leaves, so as to prevent harm to the plant the following year. The main pests and diseases of chestnut after harvest are powdery mildew and chestnut gall wasp, which affect tree vigor. Agents such as thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil can be sprayed for control.
5. Reasonable pruning
After harvest, pruning can be carried out in combination with fertilizing. Reasonable pruning can maintain the tree's shape and coordinate the plant's nutrient distribution. In addition, prune away some dense branches, diseased branches and diseased leaves to reduce the harm of pests and diseases the following year. The pruned branches and leaves should be taken out of the orchard and burned.
The above is all the content on post-harvest management techniques for chestnut. We hope it can help you. To learn more about chestnut cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to us.