What are the management methods during the potato tuber bulking stage?
Everyone has probably eaten potatoes. The potato is a tuber vegetable that is very good for human growth, and it contains very rich nutrients, making it very popular in the market. Although the current market price is not high, it has a huge “fan base”. So it is cultivated in all parts of our country. Growing potatoes requires different management at each growth stage, and what I want to talk about today is how to manage potatoes during the tuber bulking stage. Let's take a look below!
1. Topdressing
The potato has a relatively large demand for nutrients throughout its entire growth period, especially during the tuber bulking stage, and its demand for potassium fertilizer is relatively high. When fertilizing, we should carry it out together with the loosening of the soil according to the growth condition of the potatoes, to improve the permeability and fertility of the soil. After fertilizing, cover the soil in time to prevent the fertilizer from burning the roots.
2. Loosening the soil
Loosening the soil is necessary work we must do, and when loosening the soil, be careful not to damage the plastic film. The main purpose of loosening the soil is to promote root establishment, and when watering and topdressing, it is easier for these to penetrate, improving the soil's absorption capacity. The plants grow more robustly, which can effectively help the potatoes expand better and increase the commercial value of the potatoes.
3. Watering
During the potato tuber bulking stage, watering work should be done well, but be careful to use small-drop drip irrigation, and by no means use large amounts of water. Prevent the impact force of the water from being too strong and causing damage to the plant roots. The tuber bulking stage is when potatoes have the greatest water demand, but also pay attention to the amount of watering; it must not be too much, and in rainy weather the excess accumulated water should be drained in time, otherwise it will cause root rot and fruit rot.
4. Weeding
Weeding work is very important, because weeds have a relatively large impact on plant growth. If there are too many weeds in the field, they will compete with the potatoes for nutrients and water, especially during the tuber bulking stage; too many weeds take away growth nutrients, causing the bulking to be hindered and reducing the quality of the potatoes. When weeding, try to pull the weeds out by the roots to prevent secondary growth.
5. Pinching off flower buds
During the potato tuber bulking stage, pay attention to the number of flower buds on the plants, and keep a small number or pinch them all off. Because flower bud blooming and growth require a large amount of nutrients, and if the buds are not pinched off in time, they will compete for the nutrients during tuber bulking, causing tuber bulking to be hindered. So pinching off the buds can promote the transfer of nutrients to the tubers, increase the speed of tuber bulking, and enhance quality.
6. Earthing up
From planting potatoes to final maturity, earthing up should be done at least twice, and each earthing up is during the tuber bulking stage. The first time is when the stems and vines are expanding, and the second time is when the tubers are expanding. The height of each earthing up is 3-5 cm. The main purpose of earthing up is to prevent the tubers from being exposed above the ground after expanding, which would affect later growth.
The above are the management methods during the potato tuber bulking stage. In fact, there is also pest and disease control, but pest and disease control is work that must be done well throughout the entire growth period, so I did not explain it in detail. Pay attention to observing the basic condition of the plants, and when abnormal conditions appear, check in time and take corresponding measures. Only by doing a good job in pest and disease control can potatoes grow better and yields be increased.