Integrated water and fertilizer technology has emerged as a pivotal approach in modern agriculture, particularly for maize cultivation. By supplying water and nutrients directly to the root zone of crops, this technology ensures timely and efficient fulfillment of the crop’s requirements, which is crucial for high-density planting and yield enhancement.
Suitability and Benefits of the Technology
This technology is ideal for maize production areas with water sources, employing methods such as drip irrigation, shallow buried drip irrigation, or deep buried seepage irrigation for precise watering and fertilization. Post-sowing, timely water application ensures complete and uniform germination. Throughout the growth cycle, demand-based, balanced, and staggered watering and fertilization are practiced, with a focus on precise nutrient supply to support high-density populations. When compared to conventional local practices, this technology can increase density by 10%-30% and improve yield and water productivity by over 10%.
Regional Technical Highlights for Improved Maize Cultivation
In semi-arid and semi-humid regions with sprinkler and drip irrigation facilities, techniques like shallow buried drip irrigation, sub-surface drip irrigation, and deep buried seepage irrigation are preferred.
Land Preparation and Sowing: Precision in land preparation is key, with attention to leveling, soil fragmentation, and uniformity. Sowing is timed based on stable soil temperatures and scientific methods are employed for seed treatment and planting, including the use of navigation-assisted machinery for uniform, slow-speed, single-seed sowing at depths of 3-6 cm.
Integrated Water and Fertilizer System: Comprises a water source, control hub, distribution network, and drip irrigation tapes (pipes). The choice of drip irrigation equipment is tailored to production needs, with flow rates between 1.0 to 2.5 liters per hour. The control hub includes facilities for pressure, filtration, and intelligent decision-making for irrigation and fertilization.
Irrigation and Fertilization Strategy: A combination of base fertilizer and water-soluble fertilizers is applied, with specific recommendations for timing and quantities throughout the maize growth stages, ensuring rapid and uniform emergence and balanced nutrient supply.
Growth Control, Anti-Lodging, and Disease Prevention: Under high-density planting, measures are taken to control plant height, increase stem strength, and enhance resistance to lodging. Timely application of herbicides and pesticides is crucial for weed control and disease management.
Strategies for Optimal Maize Growth and Yield
Seed Selection and Scientific Sowing: Choose varieties with good density tolerance, low ear height, and strong resistance to lodging, suitable for local conditions. Seed coating and treatments enhance stress resistance, and sowing depth is adjusted based on soil moisture levels.
Mechanized Film Covering and Pipe Laying: Utilize machinery to complete fertilization, sowing, pipe laying, film covering, and soil covering in one pass. The use of biodegradable film is recommended for sub-surface drip irrigation to reduce weed growth.
Irrigation and Fertilization Strategy: The maize growth cycle typically requires 8-12 waterings, with specific amounts based on conditions. Fertilization is timed with growth stages, using water-soluble fertilizers for efficiency.
Growth Control, Anti-Lodging, and Disease Prevention: Integrated pest and disease management strategies are essential, including the use of growth regulators and timely harvesting to prevent lodging and ensure quality.
The integrated water and fertilizer technology stands as a testament to the potential of precision agriculture in enhancing maize yields. By adopting these strategies, farmers can look forward to increased productivity, improved resource efficiency, and sustainable agricultural practices. As research and technology continue to advance, the future of maize production is poised for even greater achievements.
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