How to prevent and control hollow stem in broccoli? Practical methods here
Causes of hollow stem in broccoli
1. When plant and row spacing is too large, the plant growth rate speeds up, and the incidence of hollow stem is high.
2. Applying excessive nitrogen fertilizer during the curd enlargement stage causes the plant to grow too quickly, resulting in a high incidence of hollow stem.
3. Water shortage or improper watering during the vegetative growth stage and curd growth stage causes the occurrence of hollow stem.
4. Encountering high temperatures (above 25°C) during the curd growth stage causes the curd to grow too quickly, which easily leads to hollow stem.
5. Experiments have proven that under boron deficiency conditions, broccoli can induce changes in the cell wall structure of the stem tissues, causing degeneration of the stem tissues, accompanied by a lignification process, leading to the formation of hollow stem.
6. Some varieties are prone to hollow stem, and hollow stem is inheritable; hollow stem is partially dominant over non-hollow stem.
Prevention and control methods for hollow stem in broccoli
1. Choose varieties that are not prone to hollow stem.
2. Avoid high temperatures during the curd growth stage; therefore, according to the growth period of the selected variety, sow at the appropriate time, cultivate strong seedlings, and transplant at the appropriate time.
3. Plant at a reasonable density. Prevent the plants from growing too quickly.
4. Fertilize scientifically and in appropriate amounts, and avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer during the curd growth stage. For soil deficient in boron, apply 0.75 kg of boron fertilizer per 1000 sq m as a base fertilizer, then use 0.75 kg as a top dressing or for root irrigation.
5. Water at the appropriate time. Always keep the soil alternating between dry and moist.
6. Harvest at the appropriate time. If too early, the curd has not fully grown; if too late, hollow stem easily forms, and the curd is prone to loosening and bud withering.