Detailed Explanation of Field Management Techniques for Burdock
Burdock is an improved vegetable introduced from abroad. It looks very similar to Chinese yam in appearance, but there are certain differences. People who are not familiar with these two vegetables can easily mistake one for the other. Burdock is also called Oriental ginseng. It can not only prevent cancer but also treat some minor ailments in daily life. It is a pure natural nutritional product and a very good choice for people who care about health. So when growing burdock, how should field management be carried out? Let us take a look together below.
1. Checking seedlings and filling gaps
About one week after burdock is planted, seedlings will basically emerge, so we need to check the seedling emergence in the field as soon as possible, see whether all the seedlings in the field have emerged, then find out the reason why some did not emerge, and fill the gaps in time. Gap filling should be carried out on cloudy days or around rainy periods, so that the survival rate of the replanted burdock will be a little higher. Finally, note that gap filling must be completed within seven days, as this makes later unified management easier.
2. Thinning seedlings and establishing planting
While filling gaps, we need to observe whether the seedlings in some parts of the field are growing too densely. If so, thinning should be carried out in time. Generally, only two seedlings need to be kept per plant, and the excess should be pulled out in time to avoid consuming too many nutrients and weakening soil fertility. Next, planting should be established at a spacing of 35 to 40 cm per row and 25 to 30 cm per plant.
3. Cultivation and weeding
Burdock grows relatively slowly, so cultivation and weeding are needed during planting. This can let the soil breathe, promote root growth, and at the same time promote nutrient absorption. Under normal planting conditions, burdock generally needs about four to five rounds of cultivation and weeding throughout its growth period. The first is carried out about three days after the seedlings survive establishment, and afterward scientific cultivation and weeding should be carried out according to the growth of the burdock, with the weeding time controlled by yourself.
4. Scientific fertilisation and watering
If there is no rainfall when filling gaps, then watering must be carried out in time after gap filling, otherwise the survival rate of the plants will be affected. Next, throughout the entire growth process of burdock, the soil moisture in the field should be kept above 60 percent, so as to maintain the water needed for normal burdock growth. Each watering should mainly be carried out according to the dryness and wetness of the field soil, and drainage should also be done accordingly. After burdock is planted, topdressing is generally carried out only in the second year. According to the standard of 2,000 jin of organic fertiliser and 30 jin of phosphate fertiliser per mu, spread them evenly between the intervals, then combine with cultivation to turn the fertiliser into the soil. Then, when burdock blooms, an appropriate amount of foliar fertiliser can be applied to promote burdock growth and ensure burdock quality.
5. Pest and disease control
The most common pests and diseases of burdock are black spot disease and aphids. Brown spot disease is mainly a fungal disease caused by high temperature and high humidity. It mainly damages the stems and leaves of burdock, so we should strengthen water management in the field and carry out rational fertilisation to enhance the immunity of the plants. Next, when the disease occurs, chlorothalonil can be used for control, and generally three to four sprayings are needed to eradicate it. Aphids basically run through the entire growth process of burdock, affecting plant growth and causing great harm to the stems and leaves. We can use yellow sticky boards to trap and kill them, and at the same time use pirimicarb wettable powder for spraying and killing.