High Yield Cultivation Techniques of Open Field Loofah in West Zhejiang

(Luffa.cylindrica) is a climbing herb of the Cucurbitaceae luffa genus (Luffaspp.). Loofah is a vegetable that urban and rural residents like to eat very much in China. It has a large cultivation area and is also one of the vegetables that farmers * like to plant. In western Zhejiang Province alone, the cultivated area of ​​loofah in Luzhou City has reached 2000 hm2, with a yield of more than 60,000 tons. The high-yield cultivation technology of this field is now introduced as follows.

1 Variety selection

The main varieties of loofah grown in the west of Zhejiang Province are Loquat No. 1, Wuyexiang, Chunsi No. 1, and Jiangsu No. 1. Among them, the varieties with planting area * are Reed No. 1 and Cinnamon. Both varieties have the characteristics of high yield, middle maturity, excellent quality, wide adaptability, and strong resistance to stress. They are suitable for open field cultivation. The yield of 667m2 is 3000kg. the above.

2 seedling technology

2.1 Seed processing

â‘  Sun-seeding begins to treat seeds at the beginning of March every year. Sun-seeding can enhance the activity of enzymes in the seeds, make the seeds ripe, improve the permeability of the seed coat, and increase the germination potential and germination rate. Generally 2-3 days before soaking.

② Disinfection and germination of seeds Pair an appropriate amount of 1 ‰ potassium permanganate or 10% trisodium phosphate into warm water at 60 ° C, and soak the seeds for 15min. Stir continuously while soaking. When the water temperature drops to about 30 ° C, continue soaking for 5h. Then the seeds are taken out and germinated at 30 ℃. Rinse with water 1-2 times a day, sowing seeds for 7-10 days can be planted.

2.2 Seeding

The nutrition cup (8cm × 10cm) is used to raise seedlings to cultivate strong seedlings, to avoid injury to the roots during transplanting, and to create opportunities for infection of pathogens. It is recommended to use 8 fertile garden soils and 2 commercial organic fertilizers to prepare nutrient soils. It is strictly forbidden to use long-lasting residual pesticides and sieving. In addition, 1.5 kg of ternary compound fertilizer is added to each 1m3 of nutrient soil, more than 50%. Bacterial wettable powder 80g, phoxim 50g, then mix thoroughly, put it into the cup, and arrange it in the seedlings, and place the germinated seeds in the nutrition cup when sowing, put 1 in each nutrition cup — 2 seeds, covered with 1-1.2cm thick fine soil immediately after sowing, watered and covered with plastic film. Set up a small arch shed on the nursery.

3 site preparation

3.1 site preparation

Loofahs are very light and fertile, and should be planted on loam or clay loam with good light, convenient drainage and irrigation, fertile, moist, high organic matter content, and strong water and fertilizer capacity. Remove residual weeds, dig 25cm deep, loosen soil, eliminate weeds, diseases and insect pests, and apply fertilizer deeply to meet the nutritional requirements of loofah in the later stage. Harrowing requires raking through and crushing to create a solid soil environment that is flat, fine, straight, fat, and weed-free. The width of the planting surface is 3.5-4.5m, the width of the ditch is 30-40cm, and the height of the gardening is 35cm. Combined with the preparation of base fertilizer, 300kg of commercial organic fertilizer and 50kg of ternary compound fertilizer are applied.

3.2 Colonization

Generally, in mid-to-late April, loofah grows 3.5-4.5 true leaves and the temperature settles at about 20 ° C. It is planted in a single row with a row spacing of 150-200cm, a plant spacing of 80-100cm, and 667m2 of 600 plants. After planting, water it in time. Pay attention to check the slow seedlings of the plants, and find the lack of seedlings to replenish the seedlings in time.

4 Field Management

4.1 Scaffolding and Pruning

The loofah has strong branching force, and the main and side vines can bear fruit. Pruning and introduction should be carried out according to the growth of leaf vines. Spring planting loofah seedlings should be inserted when the height is 20-25cm, and the soil should be cultivated when the vine is 50-60cm long. Place the vine on the surface of the hoe, and then compact the vine with fine soil. After the female flowers appear, remove the side vines at the base to facilitate ventilation and light transmission. "Zigzag" -shaped vines are introduced to the shelves. If there are too many vines on the shelves, which affects the light, some dense or weak vines can be removed properly.

4.2 Timely Rectification

After flowering and fruit setting, remove the tendrils that affect the growth of the young melon in time, and straighten out the positions of the young melon and the melon rack, vine, and petiole. If necessary, you can hang a stone at the lower end of the melon after the young melon begins to thicken, making the loofah grow straighter and longer, and its appearance is more beautiful.

4.3 Reasonable top dressing

Luffa seedlings tend to grow too long. Partial application of nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided in the early growth stage, and topdressing should be strengthened after fruit setting. Spring seedlings have a long growing period and slower growth. Early fertilization should be applied less frequently, mainly by watering. * Fertilization is carried out 5-7 days after transplanting, and 1,500 kg of fresh dung urine water is poured every 667m2, and then 5 kg of ternary compound fertilizer is dissolved in 1500 kg of water every 15 days. * After the female flower appears, perform heavy fertilization, 15 kg of ternary compound fertilizer every 667m2; fertilize once after flowering, and apply 20kg of ternary compound fertilizer every 667m2; once every 2-3 times after harvesting 10kg of ternary compound fertilizer at 667m2 each time.

4.4 Water management

During the growth of the loofah, the soil should be kept moist. During the period of flowering and fruiting of the plant, more water is needed, and the root system is also strong. The irrigation needs to be strengthened. Drip irrigation is recommended for irrigation. Sprinkler irrigation can be used where there is no drip irrigation condition. At the same time, we must do a good job of drainage.

5 Pest control

5.1 Disease control

â‘  Sudden disease is mainly caused during the nursery stage. Seedbed management should be strengthened to cultivate strong seedlings; select high-dried and convenient irrigation and drainage areas to build seedling greenhouses; in order to increase the temperature of seedbeds, you can install fluorescent lamps on the seedbeds to supplement light and heat in rainy weather; when seedlings are diseased, use 25% 800 times solution of Rhizopus rubescens or 700 times solution of 50% methyltobzine for prevention and control 1-2 times.

② The blight usually occurs in the early stages of loofah, and the peak of the disease occurs during the fruit swelling period. In hot and rainy days, the disease spreads quickly, causing serious damage; the soil is sticky, the terrain is low, and the wet climate is severe. As soon as an epidemic is found in the field, use 800 times solution of Kelu (frost urea · manganese zinc) or 800 times solution of mancozeb, and spray once every 7-10 days, and then 3-4 times.

â‘¢ Downy mildew is susceptible to epidemics under rainy, foggy, and dewy conditions. In the early stage of downy mildew, use 600 times solution of Rhizopus rubra, 800 times solution of chlorothalonil or 800 times solution of methyl tobbutin, and use it once every 8-9 days, and spray it 3 to 4 times depending on the condition. Pay attention to spray evenly on the leaf surface and the back of the leaf to improve the control effect.

â‘£ Fields with powdery mildew that are poorly ventilated, cultivated too densely, or applied too much nitrogen fertilizer, and low-lying land are more severe. In the early stage of powdery mildew disease, use powder rust-resistant 2000 times solution or chlorothalonil 700 times solution to spray for prevention and treatment, apply the medicine once every 7-10 days, and spray it 3 to 4 times.

5.2 Pest control

â‘  The larvae of Cucurbita spp. Began to injure in May, and occurred in large quantities in July-September. Once found to be harmful to melon silkworm, it can be spray-killed with Kangkuan (chlorantraniliprole) 2000 times solution or Bacillus thuringiensis preparation.

â‘¡ The fruit fly is easy to occur when the weather is hot from July to August, which can cause a lot of fruit drop and rotten fruit. Once the fruit fly is found to be harmful, it can be sprayed with Kangkuan 2000 times solution or avermectin 1500 times solution.

â‘¢ Mites are severe under high temperature and low humidity conditions, that is, under drought conditions. Once mites are found to be harmful, they can be sprayed with avermectin 1500 times solution or gram mite enemy 2000 times solution.

6 Harvesting melon in time

It takes 12-15 days for the loofah to bloom from pollination to harvesting the tender gourds. It is usually easy to harvest early when the temperature and water are insufficient, and it is easy to lose tenderness and ageing. The harvesting criteria can be determined based on changes in fruit size, color, pilose, and peel of the stalk: the stalk is smooth and slightly discolored, fluff is reduced, and the peel has a soft feel without smoothness, which is the proper harvest period. Commercial melons supplied for long-distance transportation in the market should be harvested in advance. The loofah has strong continuous fruiting, and the fruit grows fast during the full fruit period, and can be harvested once every 2-3 days. It is advisable to cut off the harvest with scissors in the morning. The loofah skin is tender, the flesh is soft, and it is easy to be injured, crushed or broken. It must be handled gently when harvested, and must not be squeezed when packing in the box to ensure product quality.

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