Detailed Explanation of the Double-Ridge High-Mound High-Yield Cultivation Technique for Potatoes
Potatoes grown with the double-ridge high-mound cultivation method are deeply favored by the vast number of farmers because they are free of disease, show a large yield increase, have good tuber shape, and a high marketable rate. As a result, double-ridge high-mound cultivation has become a technical measure commonly adopted by farmers in Xuanwei.
The characteristics of the "double-ridge high-mound" potato cultivation method are the optimized integration of good varieties, good methods, and a good growing environment; the goal is to increase potato yield and the marketable rate and raise farmers' incomes; the core of the technique is the "six changes," namely: first, change from using multiple, inferior, and mixed varieties to applying leading improved varieties; second, change from intercropping corn with potatoes to growing potatoes alone; third, change from the scattered planting method to double-ridge high-mound cultivation; fourth, change from one hilling of ridges and mounds to two or three cultivations and hillings; fifth, change from one-sided application of nitrogen fertilizer to balanced fertilization based on soil testing and formula application (mainly applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers); sixth, change from rough field management to meticulous management (with the focus on timely irrigation, pest and disease control, and topping and flower removal).
I. Plot Selection
Choose a plot with a deep plow layer, loose soil, good sunlight, convenient drainage and irrigation, and medium or above-medium fertility. It should not be continuously cropped with Solanaceae crops, to avoid cross-infection of diseases. Choose a plot with a deep plow layer, loose soil, good sunlight, convenient drainage and irrigation, and medium or above-medium fertility. It should not be continuously cropped with Solanaceae crops, to avoid cross-infection of diseases.
II. Fine Land Preparation
The land for planting potatoes should be deeply plowed and finely harrowed before winter, with clods finely broken up, so that the soil is loose and its capacity to store water and retain fertilizer is improved. The land for planting potatoes should be deeply plowed and finely harrowed before winter, with clods finely broken up, so that the soil is loose and its capacity to store water and retain fertilizer is improved.
III. Reasonable Close Planting to Improve Planting Quality and Specifications
According to the characteristics of the variety and soil fertility, a sowing width of 1.2-1.3 m is generally used, that is, 0.8 m for the wide row and 0.4 m for the narrow row. The hole spacing is 0.3 m, with 3000-3500 holes sown per mu. Sowing requires depth, straightness, and evenness. That is, deep plowing, deep planting, and deep covering of soil, with a sowing depth of about 25 cm, and when sowing, the main sprout part of the seed potato should face the plow pan. According to the characteristics of the variety and soil fertility, a sowing width of 1.2-1.3 m is generally used, that is, 0.8 m for the wide row and 0.4 m for the narrow row. The hole spacing is 0.3 m, with 3000-3500 holes sown per mu. Sowing requires depth, straightness, and evenness. That is, deep plowing, deep planting, and deep covering of soil, with a sowing depth of about 25 cm, and when sowing, the main sprout part of the seed potato should face the plow pan.
IV. Reasonable Fertilization
Apply sufficient base fertilizer all at once. The base fertilizer should mainly consist of farmyard manure and special fertilizer for potatoes, applying 1500-2500 kg of farmyard manure per mu, and 60-80 kg of soil-testing formula fertilizer or special fertilizer for potatoes.
V. Cultivation Management
In double-ridge high-mound cultivation, cultivation management is the key. After the potatoes emerge, weeds should be removed in a timely manner. About one month after emergence, carry out the first cultivation, weeding, and hilling, moving part of the soil from the empty rows onto the potato rows; after an interval of about one month, carry out the second cultivation, weeding, and hilling, moving as much of the soil from the empty rows as possible onto the potato planting rows, so that the mound height reaches 0.2-0.3 m, forming ridges on the mound surface and furrows in the empty rows, which is favorable for irrigation during spring drought and for drainage when rainfall is concentrated in summer. Generally, 2-3 cultivations and ridge hillings are carried out, truly achieving deep planting and deep covering, thereby ensuring the nutrients and moisture needed for potato growth, so that all the potato stolons are buried deep in the soil, increasing the number of tubers set and raising the yield.
VI. Flower and Bud Removal
For varieties that set berries strongly, after the potatoes bud, the flower buds should be removed in a timely manner to avoid nutrient consumption caused by flowering and fruiting and to ensure the nutrient supply to the tubers.
VII. Disease Control
The greatest disease harming potatoes is late blight, which can be controlled with chemicals. Use metalaxyl mancozeb or Ridomil at 400-600 times dilution, applying 100 g of pesticide per mu each time mixed with 50 kg of water for field spraying. The first application is at the budding stage of the potato, and the second application is 15-18 days later. Pesticides should be used alternately to avoid the development of resistance.
VIII. Timely Harvest
After the potatoes mature, they should be harvested in a timely manner to avoid unnecessary losses caused by underground pests and flooding. Spring potatoes are generally harvested in April-May, main-season potatoes in August-September, and autumn potatoes in December. Vegetable potatoes can also be harvested at the proper time according to market conditions and tuber size. During harvest, avoid mechanical damage as much as possible, remove diseased, rotten, damaged, and deformed tubers, prevent the tubers from being rained on or exposed to the sun for a long time, and promptly grade, package, and sell or store them.