Edible Mushroom Disease Prevention and Control Methods and Organic Broccoli Cultivation Techniques

Broccoli is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant native to the eastern Mediterranean coast. It is now cultivated in both northern and southern China and has become one of the main everyday vegetables. Organic broccoli is currently a major export vegetable variety in China. The organic broccoli cultivation techniques are introduced below. Organic Broccoli Cultivation Techniques

Raising Strong Seedlings

Selection of sowing period: For high-altitude off-season organic broccoli cultivation, the harvest and market period is required to be from late August to November, so the sowing period should be selected from mid-June to mid-July. For high altitudes and early-maturing varieties, the sowing period should be appropriately advanced; for low altitudes and mid-maturing varieties, the sowing period should be correspondingly delayed. According to the requirements of contract enterprises, sowing can be done in stages and batches to achieve a balanced market supply.

Sowing and seedling raising: Rain-proof seedling raising in greenhouses is adopted. Seeds are soaked in warm water for disinfection, mixed with chemicals and broadcast (carbendazim, chlorothalonil, etc. can be used), and every 15 grams of seeds requires 10 square meters of seedbed; before sowing, water thoroughly to saturate the soil, after sowing cover with 1 cm of fine soil, lay flat plastic film to retain moisture, and set up shade nets on frames to lower temperature. 2-3 days after sowing, when 70% of seeds have emerged, remove the film in the evening, and cover with shade nets from 10:00 to 16:00 on sunny days to lower temperature. At the 2-leaf stage (8-10 days after emergence), transplant into 10×10 cm nutrition pots, and at the 6-leaf stage (about 30 days after sowing), transplant to the field.

Land Preparation

Land selection: High mountain areas at an altitude of 750-1200 m are all suitable for off-season organic broccoli cultivation. Deep soil layers, loose and fertile soil, and convenient drainage and irrigation are required. For plots at lower altitudes, choosing plots facing east with the back to the west and sheltered from wind is better, having a microclimate with morning sun and afternoon shade. High mountains have many terraces; making a pond at certain intervals allows the use of natural drop for watering with hoses, reducing labor intensity.

Land preparation and bed making, applying sufficient base fertilizer: After plowing the land, make beds 1.3 m wide (including furrows), open a furrow in the middle of the bed and apply base fertilizer. Generally, apply more than 1000 kg of farmyard manure per 667 square meters. Weeds cleared from field ridges and edges can be pressed into the soil as base fertilizer together. Apply 25 kg of superphosphate, 10 kg of potassium chloride, 10 kg of urea, 2 kg of boric acid, or 30 kg of compound fertilizer and 2 kg of boric acid. Then broadcast 50 kg of quicklime on the bed surface and mix with the topsoil, and level the bed surface.

Field Transplanting and Management

Planting density: Plant 2500-3000 plants per mu. Early-maturing varieties should be planted more densely, mid-maturing varieties more sparsely. Transplant in diagonal arrangement, and water thoroughly after planting to set the roots.

Cultivation, weeding and grass mulching: From 7 days after planting until before the rows close, carry out at least 2 rounds of cultivation and weeding, and cut grass for mulching to help lower surface soil temperature, maintain moisture, and reduce weed growth.

Fertilizer and water management: The fertilization principle for high-altitude off-season organic broccoli is to apply sufficient base fertilizer, apply topdressing early, apply heavy bud fertilizer, avoid partial application of nitrogen fertilizer, and increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Generally, 7 days after transplanting, apply a thin dilution of human manure once; afterward, combined with cultivation and weeding, apply topdressing according to seedling growth.

Pest and disease control: The main pests include aphids, diamondback moths, cabbage caterpillars, and armyworms.

The main diseases include black rot, soft rot, and downy mildew.

Timely harvest: For high-altitude off-season organic broccoli cultivation, harvest should be done when the head is fully grown and the edges have not yet cracked open. Generally harvest once every 1-2 days. On sunny days, harvest before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM; on cloudy days, harvest can be done all day. Grade and package promptly, and keep refrigerated during transport.