Dry land tomato ecological cultivation method based on corn straw smashing and covering and no-tillage

Abstract

The invention discloses a dry land tomato ecological cultivation method based on corn straw smashing and covering and no-tillage, and belongs to the technical field of dry farming cultivation. The method subverts a traditional autumn ploughing mode, and comprises the core steps that after previous crops of corn are harvested in autumn, straw is smashed on site and evenly and disorderly covers the earth surface to form an ecological protection layer; in the fallow period in winter, rain and snow are stored through the straw covering layer, and water evaporation is inhibited; soil cultivation is not carried out in spring of the next year, and straw is directly pushed aside on the straw covering layer for field planting of tomato seedlings; the straw covering layer is kept in the whole growth period to continuously exert the ecological function. According to the method, through simplified management of'replacing ploughing with covering, preserving soil moisture with covering and fertilizing with covering ', efficient utilization of natural rainfall, protection of soil structure and reduction of production cost are achieved, ecological cost-saving cultivation of the open-field tomatoes is achieved, and the method is suitable for planting of the open-field tomatoes with corn as preceding crops in semi-arid and semi-humid areas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of agricultural planting technology, specifically to an open-field tomato cultivation method suitable for semi-arid and semi-humid regions with corn as the preceding crop, and particularly to an ecological and cost-effective dryland tomato cultivation method that integrates straw mulching, no-till, and water-saving and moisture-conserving technologies. Background Technology

[0002] In semi-arid and semi-humid regions, open-field tomatoes are one of the main economic crops, but traditional planting methods have long faced many prominent problems, severely restricting the sustainable development of the industry. Traditional open-field tomato cultivation typically follows a process of "previous crop clearing—autumn deep plowing—spring rotary tillage—transplanting—frequent weeding and cultivation," which has the following key drawbacks:

[0003] Soil and water erosion and inefficient water use: In autumn and winter, the soil is exposed and cannot effectively intercept and store precious autumn, winter and spring rain and snow resources. Precipitation is mostly lost in the form of runoff. At the same time, soil moisture evaporation is strong, resulting in insufficient soil moisture when transplanting in spring, which becomes the main limiting factor for the recovery and early growth of tomato seedlings.

[0004] Soil structure damage and soil fertility decline: Years of autumn plowing and spring rotary tillage have damaged the soil aggregate structure, aggravated soil compaction, and even formed a plow pan, which hinders soil aeration and water permeability. At the same time, the lack of protection for exposed soil accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, leading to a year-by-year decline in soil fertility.

[0005] High production costs: Land preparation processes such as plowing, rotary tillage, and harrowing require significant investment in machinery and fuel costs. Subsequent weeding and cultivation further increase labor or chemical inputs, resulting in high overall planting costs and limited economic benefits for farmers.

[0006] Poor ecological benefits: Exposed soil is susceptible to wind and water erosion, causing soil erosion; frequent mechanized farming increases carbon emissions, which is not in line with the development trend of green and low-carbon agriculture.

[0007] The concept of conservation agriculture emphasizes protecting soil resources through straw mulching and reduced soil tillage. However, in the field of open-field tomato cultivation, a systematic cultivation scheme of "full straw crushing and mulching + no-till farming" has not yet been formed. Existing technologies mostly involve improvements to single aspects and cannot fundamentally solve the aforementioned multiple problems. Based on this, this invention proposes a new cultivation system that is simplified in operation and has significant ecological and economic benefits, filling the gap in existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the problems of soil erosion, soil degradation, inefficient water use, and high production costs associated with traditional open-field tomato cultivation, this invention provides an ecological cultivation method for dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk mulching and no-till farming. The core objective of this invention is to achieve three main goals by constructing a full-process surface straw mulching ecosystem combined with no-till technology: firstly, to efficiently retain natural rainfall and improve soil moisture stability; secondly, to protect soil structure and continuously enhance soil fertility; and thirdly, to simplify field management processes, significantly reduce production costs, and ultimately promote the development of dryland tomato cultivation towards ecological, cost-effective, and sustainable practices.

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0010] A method for ecological cultivation of tomatoes in dryland areas based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till farming includes the following steps:

[0011] (1) Crushing and ecological covering of previous crop straw: After the previous corn crop is mechanically harvested in autumn, the land is not tilled and prepared. The corn straw is crushed on the spot and evenly scattered and randomly covered on the surface of the entire field to form a continuous covering layer.

[0012] (2) Winter fallow and soil moisture retention: The covered fields enter the winter fallow period. The straw cover layer retains rain and snow under natural conditions throughout the autumn and early spring and inhibits soil moisture evaporation.

[0013] (3) Spring no-till transplanting: In the following spring, when conditions are suitable, without rotary tillage or plowing, the tomato seedlings are transplanted directly on the straw covering layer by removing the straw layer.

[0014] (4) Full growth period coverage management: After transplanting, the straw cover layer is left on the ground until the tomato growth period ends.

[0015] As a further technical solution of the present invention: in step (1), the coverage of the straw covering layer is based on completely covering the ground surface, the coverage is not less than 600 kg / mu, and the length of the crushed straw is not greater than 15 cm.

[0016] As a further technical solution of the present invention: In step (3), the specific operation of planting tomato seedlings is as follows: partially remove or cut open the straw to expose the soil and dig holes. After planting the tomato seedlings, put the removed straw back in place and cover the area around the roots of the plant.

[0017] As a further technical solution of the present invention: in step (1), before or after straw crushing and covering, base fertilizer can be applied through an integrated water and fertilizer drip irrigation system.

[0018] As a further technical solution of the present invention: in step (4), during the entire tomato growth period, the number of times of weeding and irrigation is reduced by relying on the ecological regulation effect of the straw mulch layer.

[0019] As a further technical solution of the present invention: in step (3), the suitable spring conditions specifically refer to the soil temperature being stable above 10℃ and the soil moisture meeting the requirements for planting tomato seedlings.

[0020] As a further technical solution of the present invention: in step (3), the tomato seedlings are planted using a wide and narrow row planting pattern, with a wide row of 90cm and a narrow row of 50cm.

[0021] One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0022] Highly efficient water retention and moisture conservation, improving water use efficiency: The straw mulch layer maximizes the storage of rainfall during autumn, winter, and spring, while inhibiting soil moisture evaporation, forming a stable "soil reservoir." Compared with traditional planting methods, the soil moisture content in the 0-30cm layer before transplanting can be increased by 15-20%, effectively solving the core problem of spring drought in semi-arid and semi-humid regions. It provides a stable water supply for tomato seedling establishment and growth throughout the entire growth period, significantly enhancing stress resistance, and the yield stabilization effect is particularly outstanding in drought years.

[0023] Protecting soil structure and continuously improving soil fertility: No-till farming minimizes soil disturbance and avoids the damage to soil aggregate structure caused by traditional tillage; the straw mulch layer provides a stable habitat for soil microorganisms and small animals, promoting soil aggregate formation and reducing soil bulk density (post-harvest soil bulk density can be as low as 1.25 g / cm³). 3 It is significantly lower than the traditional model's 1.31 g / cm³. 3 Meanwhile, the natural degradation of straw continuously replenishes the soil with organic matter and nutrients, achieving "fertilization through straw covering," steadily improving soil fertility and enhancing soil health.

[0024] Simplified management processes and significant cost savings and efficiency improvements: This invention eliminates the need for deep autumn plowing, spring rotary tillage, harrowing, and multiple weeding and cultivation steps in traditional planting, reducing the average mechanical power cost per acre by 40-60%, significantly reducing labor and machinery inputs, and simplifying field management. Although the yield is comparable to the traditional model (average yield of 4913.5 kg per acre, basically the same as the traditional control group of 4873.3 kg per acre), the cost savings significantly improve the economic benefits of planting.

[0025] Eco-friendly and in line with the requirements of green and low-carbon development: straw mulching effectively reduces soil erosion and wind erosion, achieving soil and water conservation; returning straw to the field transforms agricultural waste into resources, reducing environmental pollution caused by straw burning; no-till farming and reduced use of chemical herbicides reduce carbon emissions, achieving carbon sequestration and emission reduction, which is in line with the development trend of modern green and low-carbon agriculture and builds a sustainable farmland ecosystem. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] The specific steps of the dryland tomato ecological cultivation method based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till are as follows:

[0028] An ecological cultivation method for dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till farming, the core of which is to construct and maintain a surface straw mulch layer throughout the entire process, the specific steps are as follows:

[0029] Previous crop straw crushing and ecological mulching (autumn operation): The previous corn crop is mechanically harvested, with a harvester equipped with a crushing device used simultaneously during harvesting, or straw crushing is carried out separately, cutting the corn stalks into segments no larger than 15 cm in length. The crushed straw is then evenly spread across the entire field surface, forming a continuous, unstructured mulch layer. The mulch layer should completely cover the ground, with a minimum coverage of 600 kg / mu. This mulch layer forms the basis for subsequent ecological functions such as water retention, moisture conservation, weed suppression, and fertilization. If supplemental base fertilizer is needed, it can be applied before or after straw crushing and mulching using a drip irrigation system to prevent fertilizer loss.

[0030] Winter fallow and soil moisture retention (cross-seasonal operations): Fields covered with straw enter the winter fallow period without any soil disturbance. The straw mulch layer acts like a "soil blanket," playing multiple roles throughout autumn, winter, and early spring: First, it intercepts rain and snow precipitation, reducing surface runoff and promoting water infiltration; second, it reduces wind speed on the soil surface, mitigating wind erosion and preventing rainwater from directly washing away the soil, thus reducing water erosion; third, it blocks direct contact between the soil and the atmosphere, significantly inhibiting soil moisture evaporation and effectively storing precipitation in the soil, forming a "soil reservoir."

[0031] Spring no-till transplanting (spring operation): In the following spring, when the soil temperature is stable above 10℃ and the soil moisture meets the requirements for transplanting tomato seedlings, no soil tillage, such as rotary tillage or plowing, should be carried out. Using manual or mechanical methods, partially remove or cut away the straw covering layer to expose the soil underneath. Dig planting holes according to the preset planting density (preferably using a wide-narrow row planting pattern, with wide rows 90cm and narrow rows 50cm). Transplant the prepared tomato seedlings into the holes, water them thoroughly, and immediately replace the removed straw to cover the area around the plant roots, ensuring that the field remains fully covered with straw.

[0032] Full-cycle mulch management (summer operations): Throughout the tomato's entire growth period, the surface straw mulch layer remains, and no cultivation is performed. The straw mulch layer continuously plays an ecological regulation role: during the high temperatures of summer, it blocks sunlight, lowers the surface temperature, and prevents root scorching; it suppresses weed growth through physical barriers and nutrient competition, eliminating the need for additional cultivation and weeding; the straw continuously releases nutrients during natural degradation, enriching the soil; and it maintains soil aeration, promoting soil microbial activity. Field management only requires a focus on pest and disease control, and the frequency of irrigation can be significantly reduced based on soil moisture conditions.

[0033] Implementation Case: A two-year comparative experiment was conducted in Huguan County, Shanxi Province (a semi-humid and drought-prone area).

[0034] Experimental design: The method group of the present invention and the control group of traditional open field continuous cropping (without cover) were set up.

[0035] The method of this invention is as follows: Corn is harvested by machine and the straw is simultaneously crushed and evenly covered on the ground. In early May of the following year: No land preparation is carried out. The straw is manually removed, and tomato seedlings are planted in rows with a width of 90 cm and a width of 50 cm. After planting, the straw is put back in place.

[0036] Comparison of effects (compared to traditional autumn plowing and spring rotary tillage in open fields):

[0037] Soil moisture: Before planting, the soil moisture content in the 0-30cm depth of the method group of this invention was 18.3% higher than that in the control group.

[0038] Soil physical properties: After harvest, the soil bulk density of this invention is 1.25 g / cm³. 3 It is significantly lower than the traditional model's 1.31 g / cm³. 3 .

[0039] Yield and benefits: The average yield of the method group of this invention reached 4913.5 kg per mu, which is comparable to the yield of the control group (4873.3 kg), but saves the costs of land preparation, weeding and other expenses.

[0040] Table 1: Advantages of this design compared to traditional technologies.

[0041]

[0042] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within the present invention.

[0043] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment have been appropriately combined to form other embodiments that are easy for those skilled in the art to understand.

Claims

1. A method for ecological cultivation of tomatoes in dryland areas based on corn stalk crushing and mulching with no-till farming, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Crushing and ecological covering of previous crop straw: After the previous corn crop is mechanically harvested in autumn, the land is not tilled and prepared. The corn straw is crushed on the spot and evenly scattered and randomly covered on the surface of the entire field to form a continuous covering layer. (2) Winter fallow and soil moisture retention: The covered fields enter the winter fallow period. The straw cover layer retains rain and snow under natural conditions throughout the autumn and early spring and inhibits soil moisture evaporation. (3) Spring no-till transplanting: In the following spring, when conditions are suitable, without rotary tillage or plowing, the tomato seedlings are transplanted directly on the straw covering layer by removing the straw layer. (4) Full growth period coverage management: After transplanting, the straw cover layer is left on the ground until the tomato growth period ends.

2. The method for ecological cultivation of dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-tillage according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1), the coverage of the straw mulch layer is based on completely covering the ground surface, with a coverage of not less than 600 kg / mu and the length of the crushed straw not exceeding 15 cm.

3. The method for ecological cultivation of dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (3), the specific operation for transplanting tomato seedlings is as follows: partially remove or cut open the straw to expose the soil and dig holes. After transplanting the tomato seedlings, put the removed straw back in place and cover the area around the roots of the plant.

4. The method for ecological cultivation of dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1), before or after straw crushing and covering, base fertilizer can be applied through an integrated water and fertilizer drip irrigation system.

5. The method for ecological cultivation of dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (4), throughout the entire tomato growth period, the number of weeding and irrigation times is reduced by relying on the ecological regulation effect of the straw mulch layer.

6. The method for ecological cultivation of dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (3), the suitable spring conditions specifically refer to the soil temperature being stable above 10℃ and the soil moisture meeting the requirements for transplanting tomato seedlings.

7. The method for ecological cultivation of dryland tomatoes based on corn stalk crushing and mulching and no-till farming according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (3), the tomato seedlings are planted using a wide-narrow row planting pattern, with a wide row of 90cm and a narrow row of 50cm.

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