Detailed Explanation of the No-Till Intercropping Model for Shallow-Water Lotus Root

Traditional one-crop-per-year cultivation of shallow-water lotus root fields has limited the improvement of economic returns because of the low utilization rates of land, temperature and light resources. In recent years, Suining County, Hunan Province, has vigorously promoted no-till three-dimensional planting models for shallow-water lotus root; generally each technique can increase returns by 300 yuan per mu, and the highest can reach 1,600 yuan. The 6 three-dimensional planting models are introduced below.

Shallow-water lotus root - pak choi

After the shallow-water lotus root field has been drained for 3-5 days, evenly broadcast 0.5-0.6 kg per mu of cabbage seeds such as Siyue Man and Zao Shu No. 5; apply human and livestock manure once at the 3-leaf stage of the pak choi, harvest the pak choi in mid-to-late December, and the yield per mu can reach about 2,000 kg.

Shallow-water lotus root - spinach

After the shallow-water lotus root field has been drained, immediately broadcast about 4 kg per mu of cracked-shell spinach seeds; after emergence, splash-apply dilute human manure once; in dry weather, combine heavy watering with light fertilization and apply frequently; in early December, spray the leaf surface once with "920"; harvest the spinach in late December, and the yield per mu is about 1,000 kg.

Shallow-water lotus root - coriander

After the shallow-water lotus root field has been drained, broadcast about 2 kg per mu of coriander (also called cilantro) seeds whose outer fruit coat has been broken by rubbing on hard ground; immediately after sowing, press the soil firm with the feet; after emergence, topdress with 500 kg per mu of dilute human manure, for a total of 2-3 applications; in late November, spray the leaf surface once with "920". Begin harvesting coriander in mid-December, and the yield per mu is 800-1,000 kg.

Shallow-water lotus root - mustard

After the shallow-water lotus root field has been drained for 3-5 days, evenly broadcast about 0.5 kg per mu of mustard seeds; after sowing, lightly press once with the feet so that the seeds closely contact the soil; 10 days after emergence, apply dilute manure water once; in mid-to-late November, apply dilute manure water once more. Begin harvesting mustard in mid-to-late December, and the yield per mu reaches about 1,400 kg.

Rapeseed - shallow-water lotus root

Sow in early September to raise rapeseed seedlings; in late October, after applying sufficient base fertilizer, transplant at a spacing of 50 cm x 30 cm. After the rapeseed is transplanted, bury lotus root seed into the soil at a depth of 6 cm at a density of 1 bud per sq m; harvest the rapeseed in mid-May of the following year, taking care not to damage the already-emerged shallow-water lotus root leaves during harvest; immediately after harvest, put a shallow water layer in the field, then fertilize 3 times, applying about 1,500 kg per mu of decomposed organic fertilizer each time.

Shallow-water lotus root - rice seedlings

In mid-to-late April, apply 5,000 kg per mu of organic fertilizer to the field, form raised beds 1.2 m wide, bury lotus root seed about 5 cm deep in the soil, and level the bed surface. In early May, evenly sow pre-germinated rice seeds on the bed surface; from early June, lift the seedlings for transplanting, and after transplanting apply about 15 kg per mu of ternary compound fertilizer. When using the above 6 techniques, the following 3 points should be noted: 1) The shallow-water lotus root field should not be drained too early, otherwise the fresh lotus root yield will be reduced; the drainage time is mostly controlled around early-to-mid October. 2) When intercropping vegetables in shallow-water lotus root fields, if soil moisture is insufficient, irrigation should be applied to build up moisture. 3) Leafy vegetables have no fixed harvest standard; close attention should be paid to market conditions, and they should be harvested and sold at the right time.