Edible Mushroom Preservation Methods and Broccoli Double-Head Cultivation Techniques

In order to advance the development of the broccoli industry's technology and further improve broccoli yield and quality, agricultural experts in China began conducting broccoli double-head treatment trials in 2000, in which 2 heads can be harvested per plant. After more than 3 years of research and demonstration, certain technical experience has been gained, and it has good application prospects in fresh-keeping broccoli production.

1. Variety selection. Success has already been achieved with varieties such as Youxiu and Luxiong 90.

2. Sow earlier. Because pinching the growing tip causes a pause in growth, it may delay the harvest period by 8-10 days. This requires sowing about 6 days earlier so that harvesting can take place at the same time.

3. Pinching method. In order not to affect seedling growth, apply 1 light fertilizer treatment 3 days before pinching; 0.5 kg of 45% compound fertilizer can be applied per mu of seedbed.

Pinch the growing tip at the 4-true-leaf stage of the seedling stage, leaving 2 true leaves, and cultivate 2 side branches per seedling; after transplanting, each plant can then form 2 heads. Pinching should be done on sunny days to prevent disease infection; depending on seedling size, pinching should be carried out in batches. Other seedling management techniques are the same as conventional ones.

4. Remove sprouts in time. To ensure the normal development of the double heads, sprouts produced before the mid-growth stage must be removed in time. The seedbed should be desprouted 1 time before planting, and 1 time each at 15 days and 30 days after planting.

5. Planting density. Under double-head treatment conditions, as density increases, single-head weight shows a trend of sharp decline, head diameter also begins to decrease markedly, and head thickness becomes thinner; at a density of 2200 plants, the single heads become increasingly smaller and basically lose their commercial value.

For double-head cultivation, a planting density of 1800-2000 plants per mu is relatively suitable.

6. Fertilizer and water management. Under double-head treatment conditions, the amount of fertilizer applied needs to be increased by about 20% compared with ordinary cultivation to ensure good growth and development. Other fertilizer and water management is the same as conventional practice.

7. Yield-increasing effect. Generally, the double-head rate can reach more than 90%, with an increase of 700-900 fresh-keeping heads per mu, a growth rate of about 80%; at the same time, the heads have better color and a round, neat shape, making them very suitable for fresh keeping and export.

8. Application prospects. Double-head cultivation increases a certain amount of labor cost in the 2 steps of pinching and sprout removal, and also increases a certain amount of fertilizer application, but it can save a certain amount of seed. The overall cost per mu of production field increases by about 50 yuan, yet it can increase economic benefit by more than 600 yuan, with an input-output ratio of 1:12, thus having very significant economic benefits. (Source: China Sanong Network)