What are the key techniques and benefits of soilless vegetable cultivation?

With the development of agricultural modernization, planting models have also changed greatly. For example, soilless vegetable cultivation is very popular now. So what are the key techniques of soilless vegetable cultivation? What are the benefits of soilless cultivation?

1. Key techniques of soilless vegetable cultivation

Soilless vegetable cultivation techniques are divided into two types: inorganic nutrient soilless cultivation and organic nutrient soilless cultivation. Inorganic nutrient soilless cultivation has two methods: hydroponics and mist (aeroponics) culture; organic nutrient soilless cultivation is achieved by regularly applying organic fertilizer to vegetables and irrigating with clean water.

1. Key implementation points of inorganic nutrient soilless cultivation

First, pay attention to the preparation of the substrate, and effectively mix organic substrate with inorganic substrate in a scientific ratio. After that, cover with film to complete high-temperature sterilization, or use formalin solution for fumigation sterilization, or use a sterilization box for steam sterilization, etc.

Second, according to weighing, reasonably adjust the pH, prepare the stock solution, and follow the process for preparing the working nutrient solution to effectively prepare the nutrient solution. After that, scientifically manage the nutrient solution concentration and temperature, and reasonably adjust the pH and oxygen content. The nutrient solution generally needs to be renewed as necessary every three weeks, and the pH should be in the range of 5.5-6.5. In addition, it is also necessary to regularly use stirring or an air pump to ensure sufficient oxygen content in the nutrient solution.

Third, pay attention to the reasonable configuration and installation of the liquid supply system. The design and layout of the liquid delivery pipes should be scientific and reasonable, the spacing between the drip parts should be accurate and reasonable, and irrigation should be precise and targeted.

2. Key implementation points of organic nutrient soilless cultivation

First, attention should be paid to organic fertilizer treatment, which usually includes the following steps: ensuring that the organic fertilizer is fully fermented and decomposed, effectively drying the fully decomposed organic fertilizer, and crushing and sieving the dried organic fertilizer.

Second, pay attention to the configuration of the cultivation substrate. Generally speaking, the ratio of slag to peat is controlled at 6:4, the ratio of river sand to coconut shell is controlled at 1:1, the ratio of sawdust, slag and sunflower stalks is controlled at 3:2:5, and the ratio of perlite to peat is controlled at 3:7.

Third, establish systematic cultivation facilities. The facilities include vegetable cultivation troughs and a liquid supply system. The water outlet of the liquid supply system needs to be equipped with a necessary filter to ensure that the water quality remains clean.

Fourth, pay attention to configuration management. Before planting, an appropriate amount of fertilizer needs to be added to the substrate as base fertilizer. After vegetables grow and develop for 20 d, fertilization should be carried out at intervals of 10-15 d. During the fertilization stage, reasonable methods should be ensured, and fertilizer should be evenly applied into the substrate at a reasonable distance from the vegetable roots. Within each square meter of substrate, the fertilization amount should be reasonably controlled: nitrogen fertilizer controlled at 80-100 g, phosphate fertilizer controlled at 30-50 g, and potassium fertilizer controlled at 50-180 g.

Fifth, pay attention to substrate moisture management. Before vegetable cultivation, sufficient water should be irrigated. After cultivation, irrigation should be carried out no less than twice a day, and the substrate content rate should be kept in the range of 60-85%. After the vegetables have grown into shape, the amount of watering should be reasonably controlled and adjusted according to changes in climate conditions and the size of vegetable seedlings. In rainy weather, watering may be unnecessary, and in winter, watering should be done once every other day.

2. Benefits of soilless cultivation

1. Water-saving, fertilizer-saving, and high-yielding

In soilless cultivation, the various nutrient elements required by crops are applied as artificially prepared nutrient solutions. Water loss is small, nutrient components remain balanced, absorption efficiency is high, and nutrients are supplied scientifically according to the crop type and the different growth stages of the same crop. Therefore, crops grow and develop robustly and have strong growth vigor, allowing their yield-increasing potential to be fully exerted.

2. Clean, hygienic, and pollution-free

In soil cultivation, applying organic fertilizer causes fertilizer decomposition and fermentation, producing odors that pollute the environment and also allowing the eggs of many pests to breed and harm crops. In contrast, soilless cultivation applies inorganic fertilizers, so these problems do not exist, and it can also avoid pollution from harmful substances such as heavy metals in contaminated soil.

3. Labor-saving, effort-saving, and easy to manage

Soilless cultivation does not require operations such as intertillage, plowing, or hoeing weeds, saving effort and labor. Watering and topdressing are solved at the same time, and are supplied quantitatively at fixed times by the liquid supply system, making management convenient, avoiding waste, and greatly reducing labor intensity.

4. Avoiding continuous cropping obstacles

In field cultivation management of vegetables, reasonable land rotation and avoiding repeated cropping year after year are one of the important measures to prevent the severe occurrence and spread of diseases. Soilless cultivation, especially hydroponics, can fundamentally solve this problem.

5. Not limited by region and making full use of space

Soilless cultivation completely frees crops from the soil environment and is not limited by soil quality or water conservancy conditions. Many deserts, wastelands, or areas difficult to cultivate on Earth can all be utilized through soilless cultivation methods. Having broken away from the constraints of land, soilless cultivation can also be free from spatial limitations, using abandoned urban factories and flat rooftops of buildings to grow vegetables and flowers, invisibly expanding the cultivation area.

Because soilless cultivation has broken away from the limitations of soil cultivation, it has broad development prospects. Interested friends can try it after carefully understanding it.