What are the methods of fertilizing orchids, and broccoli water-saving irrigation brings high planting benefits

Broccoli, commonly known as green cauliflower, is a type of cauliflower. It is rich in nutrients, a popular dish in summer, and a common variety of green pollution-free vegetables in cities. Broccoli has broader planting adaptability than cauliflower. In the Lanzhou area, it is relatively well suited to broccoli growth, showing characteristics of good curd quality, high yield, and significant economic benefits. Seed production and seed retention of broccoli are suitable in temperate arid climate zones. To ensure the planting quality of broccoli, advanced cultivation measures are indispensable, and water-saving irrigation is an important measure for growing broccoli. Broccoli irrigation is generally carried out through a semi-fixed constant-pressure variable-frequency water supply irrigation system and an open-field fixed sprinkler irrigation system (including greenhouse mist spraying, drip irrigation, etc.).

The semi-fixed pipeline constant-pressure variable-frequency water supply system has the following characteristics:

1. Convenient operation. Variable-frequency technology is used to achieve automatic operation of the water supply pumping station, with no need for dedicated staff on duty, saving manpower;

2. Farmers can freely choose a suitable irrigation method for irrigation, which is convenient to use;

3. Water use is metered and charged to each household;

4. It improves the utilization rate of water resources;

5. It requires less investment than fixed sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation. Because the semi-fixed pipeline constant-pressure water supply system better adapts to the respective irrigation needs of the many vegetable growers.

Advantages of using water-saving irrigation technology for broccoli

Because the root system of vegetables is relatively shallow, timely and appropriate sprinkler irrigation can ensure high quality and high yield of crops. Using sprinkler irrigation avoids waste of irrigation water and loss of water and fertilizer, reduces surface runoff, and prevents deep percolation.

Benefits of water-saving irrigation projects

1. Social benefits. Sprinkler and micro-irrigation can greatly improve the utilization rate of irrigation water. Compared with conventional irrigation, the utilization rate can be increased by 40 percent or more. Conventional irrigation not only lets irrigation water run off in vain, but also causes the loss of fertilizer and soil.

2. Labor savings. Under the same conditions for growing green vegetables, according to statistics on irrigation labor, manual carrying with shoulder poles and flooding irrigation with a small water pump require 49.5 labor-days per hectare. The experimental base used sprinkler irrigation for broccoli, requiring 0.45 labor-days per hectare. This saves 45 labor-days per hectare, thus reducing production costs.

3. Water-saving benefits. The experimental base simultaneously planted broccoli and, under the same conditions, grew green vegetables. One sprinkler irrigation for broccoli was 180 m³/ha, while flooding irrigation with a small water pump with a flow rate of 6 m³/h used 270 m³/ha per irrigation, which is 90 m³ more water per hectare per irrigation than sprinkler irrigation, with sprinkler irrigation saving 33.3% of water. Moreover, the quality of flooding irrigation with a small pump is poor, the irrigation water does not have time to infiltrate, and surface runoff is likely to occur, causing loss of water, soil, and fertilizer. A season of broccoli is generally irrigated 3 times, and sprinkler irrigation can save up to 270 m³/ha.

Using water-saving irrigation methods to grow broccoli requires an investment of between 30000 and 37500 yuan per hectare. Adding depreciation and maintenance, the cost can generally be recovered in 3 to 4 years. Moreover, the use of water-saving irrigation technology allows broccoli to both increase yield and improve quality, so it can be sold at a good price, thereby achieving increased income and efficiency.

At present, the main bodies building water-saving irrigation in rural bases are governments at all levels. Relatively speaking, village-level economies and individual vegetable growers invest less. Therefore, governments at all levels should intensify publicity, gradually raise vegetable growers' awareness of the importance of sustainable utilization of water resources, and enable the broad masses of vegetable growers to consciously join in water-saving irrigation. Whoever builds benefits, whoever invests increases production, so that the baton of water-saving irrigation is passed on strongly.