High-yield cultivation technique for three successive crops intercropped in jujube orchards

The jujube tree has relatively strong growth adaptability and is a tree species that prefers warmth and light. When the spring temperature reaches 13-15°C, it begins to sprout branches; when the monthly average temperature is above 17°C, flower buds begin to differentiate; when it is above 2O°C, it flowers; the suitable temperature for fruit ripening is 18-22°C; when the temperature drops to 15°C, it begins to shed leaves. Because of its characteristics of late sprouting, early leaf fall, and little shading, it is suitable for intercropping with grain, cotton, and vegetables, and the economic benefits are very considerable. The following introduces the high-yield technique for interplanting three successive crops in one year in a jujube orchard.

1. Key points of jujube cultivation techniques

1. Planting time and method. The planting time for jujube trees is generally best in spring, and the survival rate is relatively high when planted during the sprouting period. In recent years, the Huaibei Plain region has adopted autumn planting with leaves, which has a relatively high survival rate and can shorten the seedling recovery period.

2. Land preparation and hole digging. Before autumn plowing, apply sufficient base fertilizer. Generally, apply 2000 kg of farmyard manure, 100 kg of phosphate fertilizer, and 2O kg of urea per mu. After fertilizing, plow the land deeply. The planting density is 4 m x 7 m between plants and rows, generally requiring a north-south row direction, and digging large holes 1 m square. Before planting, backfill 80 cm deep with topsoil and irrigate once.

3. Planting method. Jujube seedlings generally require large seedlings with a height of 2.5 m and a root diameter of more than 2 cm, which take effect quickly. The planting depth should be consistent with the original seedling lifting depth. After planting, irrigate promptly, and water 2-3 times in the same year to ensure seedling survival.

2. Key points for intercropping three successive crops of vegetables in a jujube orchard

After the jujube trees are planted, the 7 m wide row spacing can be fully utilized for interplanting under the jujube forest. In the Huaibei Plain region, potatoes, watermelons, and radishes are generally intercropped, three seasons in one year, with a very good harvest, short growth period, quick returns, and high benefits.

1. Potato intercropping.

(1) Cutting potato seed tubers. The size of the tubers plays a great role in increasing potato yield. Before the Beginning of Spring, cut the potatoes into several small pieces by the eyes with a knife. Usually, 50-70 g is cut into 2 pieces, 80-120 g into 3-4 pieces, and 150 g into no more than 6 pieces. If the tubers are too small, the yield is low; if the tubers are too large, although the yield is high, the input cost is also greater. Regardless of size, each cut piece should have 2-3 eyes, and its weight should be no less than 25-30 g.

(2) Vernalization treatment of tubers. Vernalization treatment of tubers is one of the most important technical methods. It not only promotes early maturity of potatoes and earlier harvest in summer, but can also increase yield. Vernalization treatment is generally done by building a brick pit in the yard or indoors, covering it with plastic film, and the sprouting promotion time is 25-30 days. For indoor vernalization treatment, light irradiation should be used to promote sprouting. The sprouting promotion time is generally 30-45 days.

(3) Planting time. Potato tubers can develop and sprout normally under conditions of 6-7°C and air circulation, but the optimum temperature for development is 4-5°C. The planting time is generally about 1O days after the Beginning of Spring, with a spacing of 35 cm x 70 cm between plants and rows. Plant one tuber per hole, at a depth of about 10 cm, along the ridges. Make the ridges arched on top, cover with plastic film, and seal and compact both sides with soil to facilitate heat preservation, moisture conservation, and humidity retention.

(4) Breaking the film. 1O days after planting, pay attention to observing the sprouting situation. When 60%-70% of the tubers have sprouted and the sunlight is relatively strong, break the film immediately and seal and compact it with fine soil to prevent seedling scorching and air leakage that lowers the temperature.

2. Intercropping potatoes with watermelons. Potatoes can generally be harvested in about 100 days. Intercropping potatoes with watermelons neither affects the growth and yield of potatoes nor delays the growth of watermelons. Along the edge of two rows of jujube trees, sow one row of watermelons on each side, letting the vines extend toward the middle; in the very middle, sow two rows of watermelons side by side, letting the vines extend to both sides. In mid-April, dig small furrows in the reserved empty rows, water and loosen the soil, and then sow watermelon seeds that have already been soaked and are about to sprout. After the potatoes are harvested, the watermelon vines just begin to flower and set fruit. The two do not affect each other, achieving two benefits at once.

3. Planting large radishes after watermelons. Watermelons are generally harvested in August, and September is exactly the best season for sowing large radishes. The investment is the least, it is convenient and labor-saving, management is relatively extensive, and yet the yield is extremely high. Generally, 1 mu can harvest 4000 kg of watermelons, and slightly more fertile land can harvest more than 5500 kg.

3. Benefit analysis

1. Income from jujube trees. Jujube trees can achieve a full harvest 3-4 years after planting, and one jujube tree can produce about 50 kg of fresh jujubes. In the past two years, the wholesale price of fresh jujubes on the market was 3 yuan/kg, so the output value of one jujube tree is 150 yuan. Calculated at 24 trees per mu, the income in the half-year period each year can be 3600 yuan. By the 5-10 year high-yield period, one jujube tree can produce 80-200 kg of fresh jujubes, with considerable benefits.

2. Income from potatoes. Generally, 1 mu yields 2000 kg of potatoes. Calculated at 1 yuan/kg, the income can be at least 2000 yuan.

3. Income from watermelons. Calculated by the double-row planting method with a spacing of 0.4 m x 4 m between plants and rows, 832 watermelons are planted. If one watermelon plant sets one melon, 832 melons can be set. If one watermelon averages 4.5 kg and 0.8 yuan/kg yuan, 3744 kg of watermelons can be harvested, worth 2995 yuan.

4. Income from radishes. Generally, 1 mu can harvest 4500 kg. Calculated at the lowest price of the past two years (average 0.2 yuan/kg), 1 mu of land yields an income of 900 yuan. Based on this calculation, the income from intercropping in one mu of jujube orchard is almost equivalent to the income of a small rural general store. If the intercropping area in the jujube orchard is large, the income will be even more considerable.