How to master the new technology of water and fertilizer integration to better manage dragon fruit planting

Unlike other fruit trees, pitaya's root system lacks a taproot and is mainly distributed in the topsoil. Therefore, fertilizing pitaya requires special attention; excessive fertilization can easily damage the roots. Simultaneously, pitaya consumes a large amount of nutrients during its growth and flowering periods, requiring significant fertilizer. Water-soluble fertilizers, as a type of quick-acting fertilizer, can quickly replenish nutrients. Integrated water and fertilizer management effectively improves fertilizer utilization and is widely popular in pitaya farms. How to master the new technology of integrated water and fertilizer management to better help you grow pitaya?

I. Integrated Water and Fertilizer Management Technology

Integrated water and fertilizer management involves applying fertilizer through an irrigation system, allowing crops to absorb nutrients while absorbing water. Irrigation water containing fertilizer is sprayed onto crops or dripped into the root zone via irrigation devices. This ensures easier and more efficient nutrient absorption, significantly increasing fertilizer utilization.

II. Advantages of Integrated Water and Fertilizer Management

Drip irrigation fertilization is a precise fertilization method, applied only to the roots, significantly improving fertilizer utilization. Compared to conventional fertilization, it can save more than 30% of fertilizer and more than 40% of water.

Fertilization is fast, with fertilization of thousands of mu of land completed within a day.

It allows flexible, convenient, and accurate control over fertilization time and quantity.

It significantly increases yield and improves quality, enhancing the crop's resistance to adverse weather conditions.

Drip irrigation only moistens the root layer, leaving the inter-rows dry, which significantly reduces weed growth.

Fertilization can be adjusted according to the crop's nutrient requirements. More fertilizer is applied during periods of high nutrient absorption, and less during periods of low absorption.

Pesticides can be applied through drip irrigation, effectively controlling soil pests, nematodes, and root diseases.

During drip irrigation, water infiltrates the soil, keeping the ground relatively dry and reducing humidity between plants and rows, which lessens disease incidence.

III. Nutrient Requirements of Pitaya at Different Stages

1. Spring Shoot Development Stage

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium need to be supplemented to promote the growth of new plant roots and support the later supply of nutrients.

2. Before Flowering

Before flowering, the plant undergoes vegetative growth, requiring a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer in preparation for flowering. Also, appropriate amounts of phosphorus, potassium fertilizers, and trace elements such as boron and zinc are needed.

3. Fruit Growth Stage

During fruit expansion, a large amount of nutrients and water are required to increase fruit sweetness. Potassium fertilizer is mainly used, with supplementary phosphorus fertilizer, and some high-phosphorus and high-potassium water-soluble fertilizers can be chosen.

4. Post-Harvest

After harvesting, the plant has consumed a large amount of nutrients and needs to quickly replenish nutrients comprehensively to restore its vigor and lay the foundation for fruiting in the coming year. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients need to be supplemented, along with trace elements, to improve the plant's overall stress resistance.

5. Integrated Water and Fertilizer Management Construction

For integrated water and fertilizer management construction, a water pool needs to be dug in the base, and a drip irrigation system installed. Generally, one drip irrigation pipe is installed per row, with two emitters per plant, and an emitter flow rate of 2-4 L/h.

6. Fertilizer Management in Integrated Water and Fertilizer Management

During seedling growth, the soil should be kept moist, with nitrogen fertilizer as the main fertilizer and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as supplementary fertilizers. Thin and frequent application of water and fertilizer through the irrigation system should be applied to promote root growth.

An appropriate amount of organic fertilizer, including farm manure, bran fertilizer, and potassium sulfate compound fertilizer, should be applied before flowering and fruiting.

The flowering and fruiting period is the peak period for applying water-soluble fertilizer due to high nutrient demand. Applying water-soluble fertilizer at this time allows pitaya to quickly absorb nutrients and accelerate fruit growth. Applying more potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron significantly improves fruit quality. Afterward, the amount of water and fertilizer application should be gradually reduced. In addition to water-soluble fertilizers, appropriate foliar fertilizers should be applied.

After fruit harvesting, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be supplemented, along with humic acid, amino acids, boron, and zinc, to enhance plant immunity.

7. Irrigation Management in Integrated Water and Fertilizer Management

During the spring shoot development stage, drip irrigate with fertilizer twice and with clear water once, each time at 5-8 cubic meters per mu (approximately 0.17 acres).

Before flowering, drip irrigate with fertilizer once and with clear water three times, each time at 5-8 cubic meters per mu.

During the fruit growth stage, drip irrigate with fertilizer three times and with clear water three times, each time at 5-8 cubic meters per mu.

After harvesting, drip irrigate with fertilizer twice and with clear water four times, each time at 5-8 cubic meters per mu.

Warm Reminder: Using integrated water and fertilizer management for pitaya...