What causes hollow stems in mustard tuber
Mustard tuber (tuber mustard, Brassica juncea var. tumida) is a very common vegetable in China, where it is grown on a very large area. But although many people grow mustard tuber, growing it is not that simple. That is because many problems often arise during its growth, and hollow stems are one of them. So what causes hollow stems in mustard tuber? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look!
1. The fleshy stem expansion period is too short
The main edible part of mustard tuber is the plant's fleshy stem, so managing the fleshy stem is very important. When growing mustard tuber, if the fleshy stem expansion period is too short, hollow stems are extremely likely to occur. This is because during the fleshy stem expansion period, the optimal growth temperature is around 10°C, and at the lowest it must be below 16°C. This period generally needs about three months to ensure the fleshy stem expands fully. If the time is too short, the fleshy stem cells cannot divide fully, resulting in insufficient nutrients. Too little nutrient accumulation in the pith of the mustard tuber leads to cracking, thus forming a hollow stem.
2. Light and temperature reasons
Mustard tuber has a relatively high demand for light during growth, needing a certain light intensity and duration. If light is insufficient, it will affect the photosynthesis of the mustard tuber, leading to insufficient accumulation of photosynthetic substances and too few nutrients produced. As a result, the mustard tuber does not have sufficient nutrients when the fleshy stem expands, and cell division in the center of the stem is also affected, thus causing hollow stems. Then there is also the fact that too small a day-night temperature difference can cause hollow stems in mustard tuber, so everyone should also pay attention to controlling the day-night temperature difference well.
3. Insufficient water supply
When mustard tuber is growing, attention should be paid to creating a soil environment that is dry-then-wet. If the soil lacks water, the growth rate of the mustard tuber will slow down, and it may even stop growing. If the soil has sufficient water, the mustard tuber can recover its growth rate. If the soil becomes too dry, the cells in the fleshy stem of the mustard tuber are very prone to losing water, which can easily cause the cells to rupture and produce hollow stems. Especially during the fleshy stem expansion period of the mustard tuber, alternating dry and wet soil or insufficient water will both cause hollow stems.
4. Other reasons ⟧11⟧Some mustard tuber varieties are themselves prone to hollow stems, such as the Caoyaozi variety. Then improper fertilization can also easily lead to hollow stems in mustard tuber. For example, when fertilizing, if only chemical fertilizer is applied, the probability of hollow stems is much higher than with decomposed farmyard manure. During the growth of mustard tuber, if pests and diseases occur, the transfer of nutrients within the plant also easily causes hollow stems. There are many reasons that cause hollow stems in mustard tuber, so everyone must pay close attention.
Some varieties of mustard tuber are inherently prone to hollow heart, such as the Caoyaozi variety. Improper fertilization can also easily lead to hollow heart in mustard tuber; for example, if only chemical fertilizer is applied, the likelihood of hollow heart is much higher than when decomposed farmyard manure is used. During the growth of mustard tuber, if pests and diseases occur, the transfer of nutrients within the plant also easily causes hollow heart. There are many causes of hollow heart in mustard tuber, so everyone must pay close attention.
The above is a brief introduction to what causes hollow stems in mustard tuber. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!