The growth needs of crops and their means of meeting them
The growth of crops is supported by a number of key factors, the satisfaction of which is an important prerequisite for ensuring that crops thrive and yield。
First, crops have specific needs for the soil. High-quality soils should have good air access, water conservation and fertility. Ventilation ensures the breathing of crops, and water conservation helps maintain the proper moisture content, while fertility provides the necessary nutrients for crops. In order to meet these soil requirements, farmers usually resort to such measures as crop rotation, rest tillage and the imposition of organic fertilizers. Rotation can improve soil structures and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases; resting cultivation can help restore fertility in the soil; and organic fertilizers can increase organic content in the soil, increase soil fertility and preserve water fertility。
Secondly, moisture is an indispensable factor in crop growth. The demand for moisture varies from crop to crop at different stages of growth. For example, crops usually require more moisture during gestation and slurry periods. Meeting the water requirements of crops requires rational irrigation. The usual forms of irrigation are drip irrigation, spraying and flooding. Dripping can accurately transfer water to the roots of crops and reduce waste of water resources; spraying can evenly wet the soil; and flooding, although simple, can easily lead to high water consumption and loss of soil nutrients。
Moreover, crops need sufficient light to grow. Light provides energy for photosynthesis, thus synthesizing organic matter and promoting crop growth. In order to ensure sufficient light for crops, a reasonable planting density is essential. Cultivation can lead to the shielding of plants from each other and affect the efficiency of light cooperation; under-cultivation may not make full use of land resources。
Then the temperature. Each crop has its appropriate growth temperature range. When temperatures are too low or too high, crops are stunted or even damaged. For example, some hot crops may not grow normally under cold weather conditions. The temperature can be adjusted to meet the growth needs of crops by selecting the appropriate planting time and location and by taking measures such as covering the temperature。
Finally, crops cannot grow without a supply of nutrients. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and various trace elements are necessary for crop growth. Farmers can provide these nutrients by applying fertilizers and organic fertilizers. Fertilizer nutrients are high and very effective, but long-term intensive use can lead to problems such as soil sheeting; organic fertilizers improve soil structure and increase soil fertility, but they are relatively slow. Therefore, a rational mix of fertilizer and organic fertilizer is an effective way of meeting crop nutrient needs。
The following table compares the advantages and disadvantages of different irrigation methods:
Advantages of irrigation methods
Dripping
Precision of water supply, water conservation and reduction of soil erosion
High cost of equipment and high maintenance requirements
Spray
It's evenly wet. It's wide-ranging
It's the wind, the water evaporates
Drunk
Operation simple
Waste of water, prone to erosion of soil sheeting and nutrients
In sum, understanding and meeting the demand for crop growth is a vital part of agricultural production, and high quality crop production can be achieved only if integrated consideration and scientifically sound measures are taken。
