What are the principles and precautions for intercropping vegetables?

In order to make full use of the land, many regions in our country use intercropping to grow vegetables, which can also increase a portion of the yield. However, many growers have a low level of production, and when intercropping is done by randomly mixing vegetable varieties, it often backfires. So what should be noted in vegetable intercropping? Let's learn about it together.

I. Principles of vegetable intercropping

1. Vegetables with similar sowing, planting and harvest periods should be chosen for intercropping, so that cultivation and field management can be unified and the stubble can be cleared in time.

2. The vegetable varieties in intercropping should have different nutrient requirements and root distribution, so as to make full use of the soil fertility. For example, intercropping kidney beans with corn: kidney beans have deep roots and a low demand for nitrogen fertilizer, while corn has shallow roots and a high demand for nitrogen fertilizer, so land resources can be used perfectly.

3. The plant heights of the two types of vegetables should be different, so as to facilitate ventilation and air movement and make full use of light energy, for example intercropping cucumber with cauliflower or Chinese cabbage.

4. Long-growing and short-growing vegetables should be reasonably matched. For example, melons and solanaceous vegetables have a long growing period, so short-growing vegetables such as baby bok choy, small radishes, amaranth, etc. can be intercropped in the middle of their growth period. These vegetables can be harvested in a short time and will not affect the growth of melons and solanaceous vegetables.

5. Light-loving and shade-tolerant vegetables should be combined. For example, cabbage likes a cold-tolerant and moisture-tolerant environment, so it can be intercropped with solanaceous and melon vegetables.

6. Single-harvest and successively harvested vegetables should be combined. For example, intercropping spring radish in tomato fields, intercropping spinach in eggplant fields, etc.

II. Precautions

First, vegetables of the same type and same family are easily infected by the same pests and diseases, so they are not suitable for intercropping or relay intercropping; second, the planting density should be limited to the extent that it affects the growth of the main crop, that is, the intercropped vegetables must not affect the growth and development of the main vegetable crop; during the symbiotic stage of the main vegetable and the intercrop or relay crop, the field management of both should be taken into account. When a conflict arises between the two, the main vegetable should be given priority, and the intercropped vegetables should be pulled up in time or the intercropping should be stopped.

  The above is an introduction to the principles and precautions for vegetable intercropping. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.