High-yield cultivation technology of lotus root

Lotus root is an aquatic plant . It needs sufficient water when planted and a certain water layer must be maintained during the growth period. The stability of the water level is crucial to the growth of lotus root. Due to long-term growth in a humid environment, lotus root has a weak root system, degenerated root hairs, and low absorption capacity, so it requires deep, fertile, and sticky soil. The suitable temperature for lotus root growth is above 15℃, the suitable temperature for leaf growth is 28-32℃, the suitable temperature for bulb expansion is 26-30℃, and the suitable temperature for bulb dormancy over the winter is 5-10℃. The entire growth and development cycle usually lasts more than 100 days. Let’s learn about the high-yield cultivation technology of lotus root.

1. Variety selection

Shallow water type: suitable for low-lying paddy fields or general paddy fields, with a water level of 10-30cm and a maximum depth of no more than 70-80cm. Most of them are early to mid-maturing varieties.

Deep water type: suitable for deep lakes, river bays and ponds, with a water level of 30-60cm and a maximum depth of no more than 1m. Most of them are medium and late maturing varieties.

2. Planting period and field preparation

Planting is done in mid-to-late month. Clean the field 15 days before, apply enough base fertilizer, plough 25-30cm deep, irrigate with shallow water before planting, and harrow and level the field.

3. Planting method

Select main lotus roots or larger sub-lots of superior varieties, weighing more than 250g, with at least 2 nodes, complete terminal buds, lateral buds and leaf buds, and free from disease and insect damage. When transplanting, bury the top bud of the seed lotus root 8-12cm into the mud, with the tail section slightly tilted upward and tilted 20°-25° front and back.

4. Moisture management

After planting, maintain a 3-5cm shallow water layer, deepen it to 20-30cm in the middle growth period, and shallowen it to 10-15cm in the later period to promote lotus root formation.

5. Topdressing

According to the soil fertility and the application of base fertilizer, apply top dressing in stages to promote branching and leafing, and re-apply lotus root fertilizer in time.

6. Intertillage and weeding

Start tillage and weeding after seedlings emerge, remove weeds in the field in time, and protect the erect leaves.

7. Turn the lotus root

When newly grown curled leaves appear at the edge of the field, promptly turn the terminal buds back into the field.

8. Prevention and control of major diseases and insect pests

Disease: Lotus root rot is caused by fungi and is transmitted through seedlings and soil. Prevention and control measures include reasonable crop rotation, selection of disease-free lotus root fields for seed preservation, winter tillage and freezing, and application of carbendazim or cypermethrin.

Pests: Aphids and root-feeding flower beetles are the main pests, which can be controlled by hanging yellow boards and using pyrimethanil and acetamiprid.

6. Harvest

From late July to before budding in the second year, it is harvested and put on the market according to market conditions.

The above is an introduction to the key points of lotus root cultivation technology. You can choose suitable varieties for planting according to the actual local environmental conditions. If you have other questions, you can continue to ask them.