Full-film double-ridge furrow sowing cultivation technique for potato, suitable for arid regions

The full-film double-ridge furrow sowing cultivation technique for potato is a drought-resistant planting technique suitable for the arid and semi-arid regions of northern China, achieved by forming large and small ridges according to belt width and implementing full-ground coverage, integrating moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, warming and yield increase. Its main advantages are: (1) By fully covering the large and small ridges with plastic film, all rainfall during the potato growing period is fully collected; in particular, the tiny rainfall of about 5 mm in spring is gathered through the film surface into the rainwater harvesting furrows, effectively solving the problem of sowing being seriously affected by spring drought in dryland farming areas, thereby ensuring normal emergence of potatoes; (2) It can maximize the conservation of all rainfall during the potato growing period, reduce ineffective evaporation of soil moisture, and ensure water supply during the potato growth period; (3) In the early stage it can raise soil temperature, increase effective accumulated temperature, prolong the potato growth period, help mid- and late-maturing varieties realize their production potential, and has an obvious yield-increasing effect, with a 10.5% yield increase over half-film mulching and a 46.1% yield increase over open field.

I. Crop rotation selection and land preparation

Select dry flat land or terraced land with deep soil layers, loose soil texture and medium-to-high fertility, preferably with a three-year rotation of beans, wheat and potato. When preparing the land after the previous crop is harvested, the ground surface is required to be level, the soil fine and soft, with no clods and no root stubble.

II. Scientific fertilization

In combination with autumn land preparation, apply 3000 kg of high-quality farmyard manure per 667 sq m (1 mu) at one time; before ridging, apply 60-80 kg of Benma brand potato special fertilizer per 667 sq m, or apply 20-30 kg of urea, 60-80 kg of superphosphate and 20 kg of potassium sulfate per 667 sq m, or apply 17-22 kg of urea, 15-20 kg of diammonium phosphate and 20 kg of potassium sulfate per 667 sq m. For plots with severe underground pest damage, in combination with autumn base fertilizer application, use 0.5 kg of 40% methyl isothiophos emulsifiable concentrate plus 50 kg of fine sandy soil per 667 sq m to make poisoned soil and broadcast it, applying the pesticide into the soil.

III. Ridging

Use a row marker to draw lines 20 cm from the field edge; the large row is next to the field edge and 70 cm wide, and the small row is 40 cm wide. On the surface of the large row, broadcast chemical fertilizer at one time according to the fertilization standard, then use a walking plow along the large row line to plow back and forth toward the middle to form a large arch-shaped ridge with a ridge height of 5-10 cm. Between the two large arch-shaped ridges is a small ridge 40 cm wide; scrape the furrow soil formed when making the large ridges to the middle of the small ridge to form a small arch-shaped ridge with a ridge height of 5 cm. Each rainwater harvesting furrow corresponds to one large and one small rainwater harvesting ridge surface. It is required that the furrows and ridge surfaces be uniform in width and that the ridge crests be consistent in height. The large and small ridges together are 110 cm wide. Start from one side and continue to the other side. After the first ridge is completed, make the second ridge.

IV. Film mulching

Select plastic film 120 cm wide and 0.008-0.01 mm thick for mulching. Leave no gaps between films; cover them edge to edge, and the joint must be at the ridge crest in the middle of the small ridge. Press fine soil onto the film at the joint. When mulching, the film must fit tightly against the ridge surface and furrow, and both sides of the film should be pulled straight and compacted, with a soil belt pressed every 2-3 m. About 1 week after mulching, once the film fits tightly against the ridge surface or after rainfall, punch micropores in the furrow every 50 cm so that the collected water in the furrow can infiltrate into the soil in time.

V. Variety selection and seed treatment

Excellent varieties such as "Xindaping", "Longshu No. 5", "Longshu No. 6" and "Zhuangshu No. 3" may be selected. After the tubers are taken out of the cellar, carry out strict seed selection, removing diseased, insect-damaged and rotten tubers. Sun the seed potatoes for 10-15 days before sowing to promote sprouting. Cut the seed potatoes into pieces of 25-50 g 1-2 days before sowing, and each seed piece needs to carry 1-2 buds. Before cutting the potatoes, disinfect the cutting tools with a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution. After the seed pieces are cut, soak them with 100 g of rare earth dryland treasure mixed with 10 kg of water for 20 minutes, then place them in a cool place to dry before sowing.

VI. Timely sowing

Sowing in mid-to-late April is preferable. Punch holes on the side of the large ridge 10-15 cm from the runoff collection furrow for planting. The plant spacing is about 40 cm, and 3000-3500 plants are kept per 667 sq m.

VII. Field management

1. Seedling stage management: If rain occurs after sowing, surface crusting is likely to form over the sowing holes; break the crust in time to facilitate emergence. At emergence, if the seedlings are misaligned with the sowing holes, release the seedlings in time. If emergence is uneven, replant in time.

2. Bud stage management: Remove flowers and pinch the tops in time, and carry out foliar topdressing at the appropriate time.

3. Tuber bulking stage management: Cover an appropriate amount of soil on the plastic film to lower the temperature inside the ridge and create a cool soil environment to facilitate tuber bulking; for plots with fertilizer deficiency, carry out root topdressing.

4. Late blight control: Give priority to prevention. If central diseased plants are found, pull them out immediately and bury them deeply, and promptly spray alternately with 50% thiophanate wettable powder, or 58% metalaxyl mancozeb, or 64% duofol 500-fold solution, spraying once every 7 days for 2-3 consecutive sprays.

VIII. Timely harvest

When the tubers stop growing, that is, when 2/3 of the leaves turn yellow and the plants begin to wither, harvest in time. In combination with the autumn harvest, remove the plastic film to avoid causing soil pollution.