What are the techniques for fertilizing lotus root fields? Keep these precautions in mind

Anyone who has grown lotus root knows that lotus root needs fertilized water for cultivation. As the saying goes, where there is fertilized water there must be fertile soil. The growth process of lotus root consumes a large amount of nutrients from the soil, causing the nutrients in the soil to become fewer and fewer, gradually unable to meet the growth needs of lotus root. So people who grow lotus root nowadays pay attention to also raising some fish and shrimp in the lotus root pond. This not only improves economic returns, but the feces and leftover bait of the fish and shrimp can also provide some nutrients for the growth of lotus root. However, the nutrients they can provide are also limited, so lotus root cultivation also requires certain topdressing techniques. Today Qinnongwang will introduce to you the fertilization techniques for lotus root and the precautions for fertilizing lotus root fields.

The amount of fertilizer applied to lotus root is determined by the fertility of the soil itself. Usually, one mu of lotus root field requires 1500-2500 kg of human and livestock manure or barnyard manure. If green manure is used, 3000-3500 kg is needed. Applying barnyard manure can effectively reduce the rust spots attached to the lotus root body and improve the quality of the lotus root. In deep-water lotus root fields, phosphorus is easily deficient, so in addition to the above organic fertilizers, 30-40 kg of calcium phosphate should also be supplemented as base fertilizer. Let us now look specifically at matters related to fertilizing lotus root fields.

I. Timing of fertilizing lotus root fields

During the growth and development period of lotus root, topdressing is usually done 2-3 times:

The first time is when standing leaves begin to appear. After intertillage and weeding, apply 750-1000 kg of human manure and urine fertilizer per mu.

The second topdressing is done when there are 5-6 standing leaves, applying about 1000 kg of human manure and urine fertilizer per mu.

The third topdressing is done when the terminal leaf appears. At this time, lotus root formation begins, and it is called lotus root topdressing. Apply 1500 kg of human manure and urine fertilizer and 30-50 kg of cake fertilizer per mu.

II. Precautions for fertilizing lotus root fields

1. Fertilization should be carried out on a clear, windless day, and avoid doing it at noon under the hot sun.

2. Before each fertilization, drain the water so that the fertilizer can be absorbed into the water, then irrigate again to the original depth.

3. In deep-water lotus root fields, fertilizers are easily lost, so liquefied fertilizers cannot be applied directly. Solid fertilizers should be applied instead. That is, apply heavy amounts of barnyard manure or green grass manure and bury it into the mud.

4. When using chemical fertilizers for topdressing, first mix the chemical fertilizer thoroughly with river mud to make fertilizer mud balls, then apply them into the lotus root field.

III. Occurrence and control of diseases in continuous cropping of lotus root

1. Causes and symptoms

After about 5 years of continuous cropping of shallow-water lotus root, due to poor soil aeration, trace elements such as copper, iron, and zinc find it difficult to meet the growth needs of lotus root. In addition, too little organic fertilizer is applied and too much nitrogen fertilizer is used for topdressing, which very easily induces physiological diseases.

This physiological disease begins in early to mid-May, and the peak incidence period is generally in the high-temperature season from July to August. At the initial onset, newly grown leaves appear slightly wilted just after emerging from the water surface, the leaf veins gradually lose green and become lighter, and brown spots appear on the leaf edges and gradually expand until the entire leaf dies.

2. Control methods

Plowing and turning the soil after 3-4 years of continuous cropping in lotus root fields is the fundamental way to control diseases in continuously cropped lotus root. In daily fertilization, organic fertilizer should be the main type, and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be controlled. At the same time, in spring each year when the water body of the lotus root field is relatively shallow, apply per mu 1-1.5 kg of copper sulfate, 2-2.5 kg of ferrous sulfate, and 25-30 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer, mixed with dry fine soil and broadcast.

The above is what Qinnongwang has introduced to you about fertilization techniques for lotus root fields and precautions for fertilizing lotus root fields. We hope it will be helpful after reading. Lotus root is rich in nutritional value. Besides the rhizome being edible for us, the remaining parts can also be used as medicine.