Method for cultivating grafted cucumis melo

Abstract

This invention provides a planting and management method for grafted watermelons and melons, belonging to the field of agricultural planting technology. It includes: pretreatment of grafted seedlings, transplanting management, field water and fertilizer management, pruning and fruit setting management, green pest and disease control, stress regulation, and harvesting management. The pretreatment of grafted seedlings includes: after the grafted seedlings have survived, they undergo 7-10 days of hardening-off, during which fungicides and foliar fertilizers are sprayed on the seedlings. After the hardening-off period, weak and diseased seedlings are removed, and seedlings are graded according to their growth. Seedlings with uniform growth are then transplanted to the same plot. This method connects seedling cultivation and involves the entire cycle from grafted seedling hardening-off to harvesting, forming a closed-loop management system. It fully leverages the advantages of grafted seedlings, reduces management difficulty, and is compatible with mainstream graftable watermelon and melon varieties. It fundamentally solves problems such as poor growth adaptability of grafted watermelons and melons, mismatched field management, and unstable yield and quality, ensuring stable improvement in watermelon and melon yield and quality, and achieving the goal of high-quality, high-yield, and high-efficiency planting of grafted watermelons and melons.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of agricultural planting technology, and in particular to a method for planting and managing grafted watermelons and melons. Background Technology

[0002] Muskmelon is an annual vine belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family and the Cucurbita genus. Watermelon is an annual vine belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family and the Citrus genus. Watermelon and muskmelon (hereinafter referred to as watermelon and muskmelon) are popular among consumers because of their sweet fruit, cooling and heat-relieving properties, oily seeds that can be eaten as a snack, and medicinal uses for their peels, which have the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and lowering blood pressure. They also have high nutritional value, being rich in vitamin C, minerals, glucose, and other substances. They are the main melon and vegetable crops cultivated in my country. Furthermore, because watermelon and muskmelon have a short growing season and require little water, their planting area has been increasing in recent years, making them an important industry.

[0003] Grafting cultivation of watermelons and melons has become a mainstream technology for improving crop resistance to stress and disease, accounting for over 90% of the national planting area, especially in production areas with high incidence of soil-borne diseases and special ecological conditions. However, existing technologies mostly focus on the "grafting seedling" stage, lacking systematic and adapted solutions for field management after grafted seedlings are planted. Farmers often use self-rooted seedlings or general planting and management methods, resulting in the failure to fully realize the stress resistance and yield-increasing advantages of grafted seedlings, thus restricting the improvement of planting benefits. The existing defects in planting techniques include: 1) Disconnection between seedling raising and transplanting: Insufficient hardening-off of grafted seedlings leads to poor adaptability to the environment, slow recovery after transplanting (usually requiring 7-10 days), low survival rate (75-85%), and grafted seedlings are prone to wilting, premature aging, and other yield reductions; 2) Mismatch in water and fertilizer management: The water and fertilizer plan for self-rooted seedlings is usually followed without adjustment according to the root absorption characteristics of grafted seedlings. This results in problems such as excessive nitrogen fertilizer in the early stage leading to excessive vegetative growth and insufficient potassium fertilizer during the fruit expansion period, leading to low fruit set rate and deformed fruit. At the same time, the excessive pursuit of yield leads to a continuous increase in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which reduces quality and poses certain food safety risks. 3) Unreasonable pruning and fruit retention: delayed pruning, too many / too few fruits, uneven nutrient distribution, low single fruit weight, inconsistent quality, less than 75% marketable fruit rate, resulting in low yield of watermelons and melons; 4) Weak targeted management of stress resistance: lack of supporting field control measures in the face of special environments such as saline-alkali, drought, and high temperature, the stress resistance advantages of grafted seedlings cannot be transformed into planting benefits; 5) Extensive pest and disease control: failure to develop differentiated control plans based on the disease resistance characteristics of grafted seedlings, excessive use of pesticides, which increases costs and poses a risk of pesticide residues, and insufficient control of secondary diseases (downy mildew, powdery mildew).

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an efficient planting method that can solve problems such as poor growth adaptability of grafted watermelons and melons, mismatch in field management, and unstable yield and quality, and ensure high quality and high yield of grafted watermelons and melons. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a planting and management method for grafted watermelons and melons that is adaptable throughout the entire growth cycle, precise and efficient, with high survival and fruit setting rates, reduced fertilizer and pesticide use, and improved quality and yield, in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a method for the cultivation and management of grafted watermelon and melon, comprising: S1 grafted seedling pretreatment: After the grafted seedlings survive, harden them off for 7-10 days. After the hardening period, remove weak and diseased seedlings, grade the seedlings according to their growth, and plant seedlings with the same growth in the same plot. S2 Transplanting Management: Transplant when the seedlings have grown to 3-4 true leaves, stems are 0.4-0.5cm thick, and the average daily outside temperature is stable at ≥15℃ and the soil temperature is ≥12℃. S3 Field water and fertilizer management: Apply base fertilizer and topdressing through drip irrigation; S4 Pruning and Fruit Retention Management; S5 Green Control of Pests and Diseases: Includes agricultural control, physical control, biological control and chemical control; S6 stress resistance regulation includes stress resistance in saline-alkali land, arid areas, high temperature, and low temperature. S7 Harvesting Management: Melons should be harvested 60-70 days after transplanting and watermelons 75-85 days after transplanting, when the fruit reaches the required maturity.

[0007] This planting and management method integrates seedling cultivation and covers the entire cycle from grafted seedling hardening to harvesting, forming a closed-loop management system. It fully leverages the advantages of grafted seedlings, reduces management difficulty, and is applicable to various ecological production areas (including saline-alkali land and arid areas) through stress-resistance regulation. It is compatible with mainstream graftable watermelon and melon varieties, and fundamentally solves problems such as poor growth adaptability of grafted watermelons and melons, mismatch in field management, and unstable yield and quality. It ensures stable improvement in the yield and quality of watermelons and melons, and achieves the goal of high-quality, high-yield, and high-efficiency planting of grafted watermelons and melons.

[0008] Further, during hardening-off, the growing environment temperature for grafted seedlings is set at 22-25℃ during the day and 16-18℃ at night, with full-day ventilation. This targeted hardening-off method simulates the field environment, gradually aligning the temperature and ventilation with the external field conditions. This helps seedlings adapt quickly to the external environment after transplanting, enhancing their resilience. Preferably, grafted seedlings with a grafting survival rate of ≥95% are selected during hardening-off, which further improves the subsequent transplanting survival rate.

[0009] Further, during the hardening-off period, the grafted seedlings are sprayed with a fungicide once and a foliar fertilizer once; the fungicide is an 800-fold dilution of carbendazim, and the foliar fertilizer is a 0.2 wt% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution. The fungicide and foliar fertilizer can prevent seedling diseases, while supplementing nutrients, promoting robust root development, and improving the absorption rate and effectiveness of nutrients.

[0010] Further, the pretreatment of grafted seedlings includes grading and transplanting. Specifically, after the hardening-off period, weak and diseased seedlings are removed, and seedlings are graded according to their growth. Seedlings with uniform growth are then transplanted into the same plot. Grading and transplanting seedlings ensures uniform growth later on, facilitates unified management, and effectively reduces subsequent seedling mortality.

[0011] Choosing the right time for transplanting, avoiding harsh weather conditions such as low temperatures and heavy rain, can prevent frost damage to grafted seedlings. In addition, S2 transplanting management includes site pretreatment: 15-20 days before transplanting, the soil is deeply tilled to a depth of 30-40cm, and 100-150kg / mu of soil conditioner is added. High-ridge cultivation with mulching is adopted, with ridges 20-25cm high, and drip irrigation under the mulch, ensuring sufficient soil moisture.

[0012] After pretreatment, the land should be flat, fine-grained, and loose. All residual film and stalks should be removed. A combined fertilization, mulching, and drip irrigation tape laying machine can be used to simultaneously complete fertilization, drip irrigation pipe laying, and mulching. Facilities must be disinfected beforehand, such as using a fungicide fumigant. Deep plowing and soil amendment treatment increase soil aggregates, making the soil loose, well-aerated, and permeable. This leads to a significant increase in beneficial soil microorganisms, effectively suppressing soil-borne diseases, optimizing and improving soil ecological functions, and creating a favorable growing environment for crops. Crops develop strong root systems, exhibit increased resistance to adverse conditions, grow vigorously, and experience fewer soil-borne diseases, continuous cropping diseases, and physiological disorders, resulting in a substantial increase in crop quality and yield.

[0013] The soil conditioner is further configured to include the following components: calcium cyclohexane 3-10 g / L, diethylaminoethanol 30-60 mg / L, tea polyphenols 1-3 g / L, methyl anisinate 0.5-1 g / L, and sodium polyphosphate 1-3 g / L, with water as the solvent. Pre-application of the soil conditioner to the soil increases its water holding capacity and moisture retention, improves soil structure, and after seedlings are transplanted, it can be absorbed and utilized by the seedlings as nutrients, increasing the vitality of seedling roots and leaves, improving seedling vigor and transplant survival rate. It also enhances the crop's ability to regulate and resist abiotic stresses (such as drought, salinity, low temperature, and high temperature stress), mitigating the impact of abiotic stresses on plant growth, yield, and agricultural production, effectively preventing premature crop senescence, thereby increasing crop yield and achieving the goals of increased production and improved quality. Furthermore, this soil conditioner has low crop residues, is environmentally friendly, and has high economic value.

[0014] Preferably, 750-1000 grams / acre of fungicide can also be applied to the soil. Examples of fungicides include, but are not limited to, 50 wt% dichlorvos fungicide. The fungicide is effective in controlling soil-borne diseases caused by Pythium, Hylocereus, etc., and can also promote crop growth.

[0015] Further settings are as follows: the planting density in S2 planting management is determined according to the variety: 1800-2500 plants / mu for melons, with a plant spacing of 40cm×60cm; 700-1000 plants / mu for watermelons, with a plant spacing of 60cm×120cm.

[0016] Further, the S2 planting management also includes a planting method, specifically: transplanting seedlings into planting holes, with the depth of the planting hole 1-2 cm higher than the height of the substrate block carried by the seedling. After planting, cover with soil and water thoroughly, then cover with mulch and compact. When removing the seedling from the tray during planting, tightly wrap the substrate block to prevent it from crumbling, which helps improve the survival rate. Covering with soil after planting avoids contact between the scion and the soil, preventing disease. Covering with mulch reduces water evaporation and drought stress.

[0017] Preferably, the rooting solution is a 500-fold dilution of the rooting agent. The specific rooting agent can be any commonly used rooting agent in the field, and is not limited here.

[0018] Further, the application method for base fertilizer is as follows: apply 2000-2500 kg / mu of well-rotted organic fertilizer and 50-60 kg / mu of compound fertilizer before transplanting. Base fertilizer is used to improve the soil and ensure nutrient supply in the early stage.

[0019] Further, topdressing is to be applied in four applications: seedling establishment fertilizer, vine extension fertilizer, fruit setting fertilizer, and fruit expansion fertilizer. The application method is as follows: 1) Seedling establishment fertilizer: 7-10 days after transplanting, the seedlings enter the establishment period. Apply 10-15 kg / mu of urea and 5-10 kg / mu of soil conditioner. Seedling establishment fertilizer can promote seedling establishment and root growth, and enable seedlings to quickly adapt to the field environment.

[0020] 2) Vine extension fertilizer: 20-25 days after transplanting, the vines will enter the extension period. Apply 20-25 kg / mu of compound fertilizer. During the extension period, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should be supplemented to promote root development and the vigorous growth of stems, leaves and vines, and improve photosynthetic utilization.

[0021] 3) Fruit setting fertilizer: 5-7 days after fruit setting, apply 25-30 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer and 10-15 kg / mu of phosphorus fertilizer; the fruit setting fertilizer is used to reduce flower and fruit drop, promote fruit setting, and prevent watermelon vines from running away.

[0022] 4) Fruit enlargement fertilizer: 15-20 days after fruit set, the fruit enters the enlargement period. Apply 30-35 kg / mu of compound fertilizer and 15-20 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer. Fruit enlargement fertilizer is used to promote uniform fruit enlargement, accumulate sugar, and improve quality.

[0023] Further, the base fertilizer and top dressing should include at least one of well-rotted sheep manure and well-rotted cow manure; the compound fertilizer should have an N:P:K ratio of 15:15:15. In the top dressing, the phosphate fertilizer should be derived from phosphorus pentoxide or calcium dihydrogen phosphate, and the potassium fertilizer from potassium oxide or potassium sulfate. Water and fertilizer management should be adapted to the growth characteristics of grafted seedlings. Fertilization should follow the principle of combining organic and inorganic fertilizers, and base fertilizer and top dressing, adopting the principle of "base fertilizer as the main component, top dressing as a supplement, supplying as needed, and phased regulation" to improve water and fertilizer utilization, supplement the nutrients lacking in crops, stimulate beneficial bacteria, suppress harmful bacteria, improve crop resistance, stimulate vigorous and deep root development, and transform or reduce autotoxic hazards.

[0024] Further, S3 field water and fertilizer management includes water regulation, specifically: maintaining soil moisture at 65-70% during the seedling establishment stage, 70-75% during the vine extension stage, 60-65% during the fruit setting stage, and 75-80% during the fruit expansion stage; stopping watering 7-10 days before harvest. Regulating water and fertilizer according to growth needs at different stages, combined with pest and disease control, can enhance resistance, accelerate nutrient accumulation in the melon, increase sweetness, and improve watermelon quality. After the fruit has basically set and enters the ripening stage, drip irrigation and fertilization are generally discontinued, otherwise it will reduce the sweetness of the watermelon and affect its marketability. If the weather is hot and soil evaporation is high, causing water shortage in the plants, appropriate watering can be provided, but watering should be stopped one week before harvest to increase the sugar content of the fruit.

[0025] Further, the management of pruning and fruit retention includes: S41 Pruning Method: Pruning begins during the vine extension stage and is carried out every 3-5 days. For melons, a double-vine pruning method is used, with the main vine leaving 2 true leaves before topping it, and 2 strong lateral vines selected as fruiting vines, while the remaining lateral vines are removed in a timely manner. For watermelons, a triple-vine pruning method is used, with the main vine leaving 3 true leaves before topping it, and 3 lateral vines selected, with only the main and lateral vines retained for fruiting. Pruning is to prevent excessive vine growth from consuming nutrients and to ensure a concentrated supply of nutrients. The best time for pruning is on a sunny morning to reduce the risk of wound infection.

[0026] S42 Fruit Retention Management: For melons, retain 1-2 fruits per fruiting vine, selecting the 3rd-5th node for fruit setting; for watermelons, retain 1 fruit per plant, selecting the 2nd-3rd node for fruit setting, and promptly remove deformed and weak fruits. When retaining fruits, select those that are well-shaped, normally enlarged, robust, and without external damage. Remove all other flowers and fruits, and promptly remove deformed fruits to optimize nutrient distribution, ensuring excellent fruit quality and a high rate of marketable fruit in the later stages.

[0027] It should be noted that during the flowering period, if there is cloudy or rainy weather, artificial pollination can be used (collect pollen from male flowers and apply it to the stigma of female flowers between 8 and 10 am) to improve the fruit set rate.

[0028] Further defined as S5 green pest and disease control, adhering to the principle of "prevention first, integrated management," it aims to reduce pesticide use and achieve the goals of reducing pesticide use, improving quality, and increasing efficiency. Specifically, it includes: S51 Agricultural control: Reasonable crop rotation, rotating with non-cucurbitaceous crops for more than 3 years, timely removal of diseased and damaged plant parts, and maintaining ventilation and light penetration in the field.

[0029] S52 Physical Control: Hang yellow sticky traps to kill aphids and whiteflies, 30-40 traps per acre; install insecticidal lamps to kill moths, 20-50 lamps per acre. Yellow sticky traps and insecticidal lamps are common components in this field, and will not be described in detail or subject to special limitations here. Physical control can also be combined with commonly used blue sticky traps (for thrips and other pests), insecticidal baits, insect traps, and light source traps.

[0030] S53 Biological Control: Spray with 1000 times diluted Bacillus subtilis solution to control soil-borne diseases, and spray with 800 times diluted matrine solution to control pests.

[0031] S54 Chemical Control: For secondary diseases affecting grafted seedlings with weak resistance, spray with a low-toxicity fungicide at the initial stage of disease, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times. Stop using the fungicide 15 days before harvest. Disease and pest control should be differentiated and adapted to enhance the disease resistance of grafted seedlings. In addition to the methods mentioned above, commonly used methods in this field can also be used for control, such as: thiamethoxam, agricultural streptomycin, polyoxin, imidacloprid, mancozeb, etc., for symptomatic control of diseases; releasing ladybugs to control aphids; using 1500 times dilution of cymoxanil to control downy mildew; and using 2000 times dilution of azoxystrobin to control powdery mildew.

[0032] Further configuration includes S6 stress regulation: S61 Saline-Alkali Land Resistance: After planting, apply a 0.3-1.0wt% humic acid solution regularly via drip irrigation every 15-20 days; the humic acid content in the solution should be 30-50%. Humic acid solution can improve soil pH and enhance root salt tolerance.

[0033] S62 Arid Zone Stress Resistance: Use straw mulch, applying 200-300 kg of straw per acre, and foliar spray with drought-resistant agents; specific drought-resistant agents can be commonly used in this field, such as 1000 times diluted potassium humate solution, without limitation. Straw can reduce soil moisture evaporation, and drought-resistant agents can improve the drought resistance of plants.

[0034] S63 is resistant to both high and low temperatures: Shading nets are installed at high temperatures, providing 50-70% shading; insulation film is used to cover the surface at low temperatures. This stress regulation is designed to adapt to different ecological production areas. At high temperatures, cooling agents can be sprayed on the leaves; at low temperatures, potassium fertilizer can be applied to enhance cold resistance. Other methods commonly used in this field can also be employed to reduce damage from high and low temperatures.

[0035] Further settings include, in addition to harvesting timing, S7 harvesting management as follows: S72 Harvesting Method: Harvest on a sunny morning. Use a sharp knife to cut off the fruit stalk, leaving 1-2cm of stalk to avoid damaging the fruit.

[0036] S73 Grading and Packaging: Fruits are graded according to size and appearance, and deformed and diseased fruits are removed. High-quality fruits are bagged and packaged. At harvest, the standard for fruit maturity is: melons have a strong aroma, uniform rind color, watermelons have clear stripes, and the stem is slightly withered. After harvesting, grading and packaging require fruits to be of regular shape, free from deformities, and free from pests and diseases. Packaging ensures quality and marketability, reduces transportation damage, and enhances commercial value.

[0037] The grafted watermelon and melon planting and management method provided by this invention forms a closed-loop management system covering the entire cycle from pretreatment to transplanting, water and fertilizer management, pruning and fruit setting management, green pest and disease control, stress resistance regulation, and harvesting management. This system comprises seven core stages: pretreatment, transplanting, water and fertilizer management, pruning, stress resistance, disease prevention, and harvesting. It solves the problem of the disconnect between grafted seedling cultivation and field management, fully utilizes the advantages of grafted seedlings, meets the growth habits and nutrient requirements of watermelons and melons, and changes the traditional practice of excessive fertilizer and pesticide use in watermelon and melon cultivation. This effectively increases the yield and quality of watermelons and melons per unit area, achieving the goals of reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, improving quality and increasing yield, and improving the input-output ratio. It ensures agricultural product supply while achieving higher economic benefits. In addition, it has the following advantages and beneficial effects: 1) Precise water and fertilizer regulation: Based on the root absorption characteristics of grafted seedlings, water and fertilizer programs are customized in stages to avoid problems such as excessive vegetative growth and insufficient nutrients, thereby improving water and fertilizer utilization. 2) Differentiated adaptation to stress resistance: Specific stress resistance measures are formulated for different ecological production areas (saline-alkali, drought, etc.), which has stronger adaptability and broadens the scope of technology application. 3) Green and efficient disease prevention: Combining the disease resistance characteristics of grafted seedlings, an integrated approach of "agriculture + materials + biology + chemicals" is adopted to reduce pesticide use and balance ecology and economic benefits. 4) Standardized operation: The parameters of each link are clear and the steps are clear, making it easy for farmers to learn and suitable for large-scale planting. 5) Compared with conventional management programs, this planting and management method can significantly improve the survival rate and fruit setting rate of grafted watermelons and melons, greatly reduce the incidence of pests and diseases, increase yield by more than 50%, increase the soluble solids content of fruits by about 3 percentage points, and achieve a marketable fruit rate of more than 93%. It completely solves the problems of poor adaptability and low efficiency of existing management programs, adapts to the planting needs of grafted watermelons and melons in various production areas, and is applicable to both grafted and non-grafted seedlings. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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 skilled in the art without creative effort are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] The following examples use conventional instruments and equipment in the art. Unless otherwise specified, the experimental materials and reagents used in the following examples are commercially available and conform to conventional specifications in the art. Any techniques or conditions not specifically described in the following examples can be performed according to the techniques or conditions described in the literature in the art or according to the product instructions.

[0040] It should be noted that, in this invention and the following embodiments, unless otherwise specified, concentration, ratio, etc. are all weight concentration, weight ratio, etc., "%" all represent weight percentage, and "parts" all represent weight parts. These are common writing habits used by those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be repeated in this invention.

[0041] As a preferred embodiment, the steps for obtaining grafted seedlings (obtained using this method in the embodiments of the present invention) are as follows: S1. Rootstock Seedling Raising: Evenly sow the pre-germinated rootstock seeds in seedling trays containing a 2-2.5cm thick layer of seedling substrate. Cover with another 0.5-1cm layer of substrate. Cultivate for 38-42 days under conditions of 25-28℃ during the day, 18-20℃ at night, and 65-70% humidity. The rootstock is ready for use when it has 1-2 true leaves and a stem diameter of 0.35-0.4cm. Pumpkin rootstock is used. Commonly used seedling substrates in the field can be used. In this example, the seedling substrate used is prepared with a volume ratio of peat moss:vermiculite:perlite = 1:0.5:0.5. Germination can be performed using methods commonly used in the field, and no special limitations are made here.

[0042] S2. Scion Seedling Raising: 10-12 days after rootstock sowing, evenly sow the pre-germinated watermelon seeds or pre-germinated melon seeds in seedling trays containing a 2-2.5cm thick layer of seedling substrate. Cover with a 0.5-1cm thick layer of seedling substrate after sowing. Cultivate the seedlings under the conditions of a daytime temperature of 25-28℃, a nighttime temperature of 18-20℃, and an air humidity of 65-70%. Melon scions are cultivated for 26-30 days, and are ready for use when they have grown to 1-2 true leaves and a stem diameter of 0.28-0.3cm. Watermelon scions are cultivated for 28-32 days, and are ready for use when they have grown to 1-2 true leaves and a stem diameter of 0.3-0.32cm.

[0043] S3. Grafting: Grafting is carried out using the insertion method in an environment with an average daily temperature of ≥15℃ to obtain grafted seedlings.

[0044] S31. Rootstock treatment: Use a sterile grafting knife to cut off the growing point at the top of the rootstock, and insert a hole vertically downward from the center of the stem to a depth of 0.9-1.1cm, with the hole diameter matching the wedge-shaped base of the scion.

[0045] S32. Scion treatment: Retain 1-2 true leaves on the scion, and cut the base into a wedge shape of 30°-45°. The length of the wedge should match the depth of the hole in the rootstock, and the cut surface should be smooth and free of burrs. Preferably, the base of the melon is cut into a wedge shape of 35°-40°, and the base of the watermelon is cut into a wedge shape of 30°-35°; the wedge length of the melon is 0.9cm, and the wedge length of the watermelon is 1.0cm.

[0046] S33. Grafting Fixation: Insert the wedge-shaped end of the scion into the hole in the rootstock, ensuring that the cambium layers of both are aligned with a deviation of ≤0.1cm. Then, use a square grafting clip to fix the interface laterally to prevent loosening or misalignment. Using the top-insertion grafting method results in a high grafting survival rate, uniform growth, and simple operation. Grafting can reduce soil-borne diseases and significantly reduce pesticide use.

[0047] S4. Management during the survival period: Transplant grafted seedlings into a greenhouse, maintaining an environmental condition of 28-30℃ during the day, 22-24℃ at night, and 85-90% humidity. Use a 70% shading net to provide shade, and allow the seedlings to recover in a sealed environment for 5 days. From the 6th day onwards, adjust the environmental conditions to a daytime temperature of 25-27℃, a nighttime temperature of 20-22℃, and 75-80% humidity. Gradually increase natural light exposure by 1-2 hours each day, and gradually increase ventilation time until the seedlings receive natural light and normal ventilation (usually around the 14th day). Once free from pests and diseases, they can be transplanted to the field. During the survival period, it is necessary to promptly remove newly emerging rootstock buds to promote scion growth.

[0048] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments. However, it should be understood that the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In the embodiments, the experimental location was a melon and watermelon planting base in the Hetao region, and the experimental crops were "Bailiancui" melon and "Tianwang" watermelon. The cultivation area of ​​each embodiment was 2 mu, with 3 replicates. The grafted seedling varieties and seedling cultivation methods were the same, and only the planting and management methods were different.

[0049] Example 1: A method for cultivating and managing grafted watermelons and melons, comprising the following steps: S1 grafted seedling pretreatment: S11 Targeted Hardening-off: After the grafted seedlings survive (survival rate 96%), they are hardened off for 8 days. During the hardening-off period, the growing environment temperature of the grafted seedlings is 22-25℃ during the day and 16-18℃ at night, with ventilation throughout the day.

[0050] S12 Seedling Hardening Protection: During the hardening period, spray the grafted seedlings with a fungicide once and a foliar fertilizer once. The fungicide is 800 times diluted carbendazim, and the foliar fertilizer is a 0.2wt% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution.

[0051] S13 Grading and Planting: After the hardening-off period, weak and diseased seedlings are removed, and seedlings with consistent growth are graded according to their growth and planted in the same plot.

[0052] S2 Planting Management: S21 transplanting time: April 25, when the seedlings have grown to 3-4 true leaves, the stem is 0.4-0.5cm thick, and the average daily temperature of the outside world is stable at ≥15℃ and the soil temperature is ≥12℃.

[0053] S22 plot pretreatment: 15 days before planting, the soil is deeply tilled to 30-40cm, and 100kg / mu of soil conditioner is added to the soil. High-ridge mulching cultivation is adopted, with a ridge height of 25cm and drip irrigation under the mulch, and sufficient soil moisture is watered.

[0054] Preferably, the soil conditioner comprises the following components: calcium cyclohexane 7g / L, diethylaminoethanol 50mg / L, tea polyphenols 2g / L, methyl aminoaniline 1g / L, and sodium polyphosphate 1.5g / L, wherein the solvent of the above soil conditioner is water.

[0055] S23 Planting density: The planting density of crops is determined according to the variety. For melons, the planting density is 2000 plants / mu with a plant spacing of 40cm×60cm. For watermelons, the planting density is 900 plants / mu with a plant spacing of 60cm×120cm.

[0056] S24 Planting Method: Transplant the seedlings into planting holes, with the depth of the holes 1-2 cm higher than the height of the substrate block carried by the seedling. After planting, cover with soil and water thoroughly, then cover with mulch and compact. The rooting water is a 500-fold dilution of rooting agent.

[0057] S3 Field water and fertilizer management: Base fertilizer and topdressing are applied through drip irrigation.

[0058] S31 Base Fertilizer: Apply 2000 kg / mu of well-rotted organic fertilizer and 55 kg / mu of compound fertilizer before transplanting.

[0059] S32 topdressing is carried out in 4 applications: S321 Seedling Fertilizer: Apply 12 kg / mu of urea and 5 kg / mu of soil conditioner on May 3.

[0060] S322 Vine Extension Fertilizer: Apply 23 kg / mu of compound fertilizer on May 18th.

[0061] S323 Fruit Setting Fertilizer: Apply 28 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer and 10 kg / mu of phosphorus fertilizer on June 10.

[0062] S324 Fruit Enlargement Fertilizer: Apply 32 kg / mu of compound fertilizer and 15 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer on June 25.

[0063] Of the above-mentioned base fertilizer and top dressing, the well-rotted organic fertilizer is well-rotted sheep manure; the N:P:K ratio of the compound fertilizer is 15:15:15. The phosphate fertilizer is calcium dihydrogen phosphate, and the potassium fertilizer is potassium sulfate.

[0064] S33 Water Control: Maintain soil moisture at 65-70% during the seedling establishment period, 70-75% during the vine extension period, 60-65% during the fruit setting period, and 75-80% during the fruit expansion period. Stop watering 8 days before harvest.

[0065] S4 Pruning and Fruit Retention Management: S41 pruning method: Pruning begins on May 20th and is carried out every 3-5 days; for melons, double vine pruning is used, with the main vine topped after 2 true leaves, and 2 strong lateral vines selected as fruiting vines, while the remaining lateral vines are removed in time; for watermelons, triple vine pruning is used, with the main vine topped after 3 true leaves, and 3 lateral vines selected, with only the main and lateral vines retained for fruiting.

[0066] S42 Fruit Management: After fruit set on June 5, leave 1-2 fruits on each fruiting vine of melon, selecting the 3rd-5th node for fruit set; leave 1 fruit per watermelon plant, selecting the 2nd-3rd node for fruit set. Remove deformed and weak fruits in time. Artificial pollination should be carried out during the flowering period if it is cloudy or rainy.

[0067] S5 Green Control of Diseases and Pests: S51 Agricultural control: Reasonable crop rotation, rotating with non-cucurbitaceous crops for more than 3 years, timely removal of diseased and damaged plant parts, and maintaining ventilation and light penetration in the field.

[0068] S52 Physical control: Hang yellow sticky traps to attract and kill aphids and whiteflies, 30 traps per acre; install insecticidal lamps to attract and kill moths, 40 lamps per acre.

[0069] S53 Biological Control: Spray with 1000 times diluted Bacillus subtilis solution to control soil-borne diseases, and spray with 800 times diluted matrine solution to control pests.

[0070] S54 Chemical Control: For secondary diseases that weaken the disease resistance of grafted seedlings, spray with a low-toxicity fungicide at the initial stage of disease, once every 10 days, for two consecutive times. Stop using the fungicide 15 days before harvest.

[0071] S6 Anti-adverse Regulation: S61 Saline-Alkali Land Resistance: After planting, apply a 0.3wt% humic acid solution via drip irrigation every 20 days. The humic acid content in the solution should be 30-50%.

[0072] S62 Arid Zone Stress Resistance: Use straw mulching, covering 200 kg of straw per mu, and spray drought-resistant agents on the leaves.

[0073] S63 High Temperature Resistance / Low Temperature Resistance: When the temperature is high, a shade net is erected with a shading rate of 50-70%; when the temperature is low, an insulation film is covered.

[0074] S7 Harvesting Management: S71 harvest time: July 15, when the fruit reaches the required maturity.

[0075] S72 Harvesting Method: Harvest on a sunny morning. Use a sharp knife to cut off the fruit stalk, leaving 1-2cm of stalk to avoid damaging the fruit.

[0076] S73 Grading and Packaging: Grading is done according to fruit size and appearance, and deformed and diseased fruits are removed. High-quality fruits are bagged and packaged. Example 2:

[0077] A method for cultivating and managing grafted watermelons and melons, with the remaining steps being the same as in Example 2, except that: Pre-treatment of plot S22: 15 days before planting, the soil was deeply tilled to a depth of 30-40cm, and high-ridge cultivation with mulch was adopted, with a ridge height of 25cm and drip irrigation under the mulch, ensuring sufficient soil moisture. That is, no soil conditioner was added to the soil.

[0078] In the field water and fertilizer management of S3, the S321 seedling fertilizer was applied on May 3rd at 12 kg / mu of urea, without the application of soil conditioner. Example 3:

[0079] A method for cultivating and managing grafted watermelons and melons, with the remaining steps being the same as in Example 2, except that: S22 plot pretreatment: 15 days before planting, the soil is deeply tilled to 30-40cm, and 100kg / mu of soil conditioner is added to the soil. High-ridge mulching cultivation is adopted, with a ridge height of 25cm and drip irrigation under the mulch, and sufficient soil moisture is watered.

[0080] In the field water and fertilizer management of S3, the S321 seedling fertilizer is applied on May 3rd: 12 kg / mu of urea and 5 kg / mu of soil conditioner.

[0081] The above-mentioned soil conditioner includes the following components: calcium cyclohexane 7g / L, diethylaminoethanol 50mg / L, and tea polyphenols 2g / L. The solvent of the above-mentioned soil conditioner is water. Example 4:

[0082] A method for cultivating and managing grafted watermelons and melons, comprising the following steps: S1 grafted seedling pretreatment: S11 Graded Planting: After the grafted seedlings survive (survival rate 96%), weak and diseased seedlings are removed, and seedlings of uniform growth are planted in the same plot according to their growth level. That is, no targeted hardening-off or protection during the hardening-off period was carried out.

[0083] S2 Planting Management: S21 transplanting time: April 25, when the seedlings have grown to 3-4 true leaves, the stem is 0.4-0.5cm thick, and the average daily temperature of the outside world is stable at ≥15℃ and the soil temperature is ≥12℃.

[0084] Pre-treatment of plot S22: 15 days before planting, the soil is deeply tilled to a depth of 30-40 cm, and 100 kg / mu of soil conditioner is added to the soil. High-ridge cultivation with mulching is adopted, with ridges 25 cm high and drip irrigation under the mulch, ensuring sufficient soil moisture. Preferably, the soil conditioner includes the following components: calcium cyclohexane 7 g / L, diethylaminoethanol 50 mg / L, tea polyphenols 2 g / L, methyl anisyl ester 1 g / L, and sodium polyphosphate 1.5 g / L, with water as the solvent.

[0085] S23 Planting density: The planting density of crops is determined according to the variety. For melons, the planting density is 2000 plants / mu with a plant spacing of 40cm×60cm. For watermelons, the planting density is 900 plants / mu with a plant spacing of 60cm×120cm.

[0086] S24 Planting Method: Transplant the seedlings into planting holes, with the depth of the holes 1-2 cm higher than the height of the substrate block carried by the seedling. After planting, cover with soil and water thoroughly, then cover with mulch and compact. The rooting water is a 500-fold dilution of rooting agent.

[0087] S3 Field water and fertilizer management: Base fertilizer and topdressing are applied through drip irrigation.

[0088] S31 Base Fertilizer: Apply 2000 kg / mu of well-rotted organic fertilizer and 55 kg / mu of compound fertilizer before transplanting.

[0089] S32 topdressing is carried out in 4 applications: S321 Seedling Fertilizer: Apply 12 kg / mu of urea and 5 kg / mu of soil conditioner on May 3.

[0090] S322 Vine Extension Fertilizer: Apply 23 kg / mu of compound fertilizer on May 18th.

[0091] S323 Fruit Setting Fertilizer: Apply 28 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer and 10 kg / mu of phosphorus fertilizer on June 10.

[0092] S324 Fruit Enlargement Fertilizer: Apply 32 kg / mu of compound fertilizer and 15 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer on June 25.

[0093] Of the above-mentioned base fertilizer and top dressing, the well-rotted organic fertilizer is well-rotted sheep manure; the N:P:K ratio of the compound fertilizer is 15:15:15. The phosphate fertilizer is calcium dihydrogen phosphate, and the potassium fertilizer is potassium sulfate.

[0094] S33 Water Control: Maintain an average soil moisture level of 70-80% throughout the growing season, and stop watering 8 days before harvest.

[0095] S4 Pruning and Fruit Retention Management: S41 pruning method: Pruning begins on May 20th and is carried out every 3-5 days; for melons, double vine pruning is used, with the main vine topped after 2 true leaves, and 2 strong lateral vines selected as fruiting vines, while the remaining lateral vines are removed in time; for watermelons, triple vine pruning is used, with the main vine topped after 3 true leaves, and 3 lateral vines selected, with only the main and lateral vines retained for fruiting.

[0096] S42 Fruit Management: After fruit set on June 5, leave 1-2 fruits on each fruiting vine of melon, selecting the 3rd-5th node for fruit set; leave 1 fruit per watermelon plant, selecting the 2nd-3rd node for fruit set. Remove deformed and weak fruits in time. Artificial pollination should be carried out during the flowering period if it is cloudy or rainy.

[0097] S5 Green Control of Diseases and Pests: S51 Agricultural Control: Promptly remove diseased and damaged plant parts and maintain good ventilation and light penetration in the field.

[0098] S52 Physical control: Hang yellow sticky traps to attract and kill aphids and whiteflies, 30 traps per acre; install insecticidal lamps to attract and kill moths, 40 lamps per acre.

[0099] S53 Biological Control: Spray with 1000 times diluted Bacillus subtilis solution to control soil-borne diseases, and spray with 800 times diluted matrine solution to control pests.

[0100] S54 Chemical Control: For secondary diseases that weaken the disease resistance of grafted seedlings, spray with a low-toxicity fungicide at the initial stage of disease, once every 10 days, for two consecutive times. Stop using the fungicide 15 days before harvest.

[0101] S6 Harvesting Management: S61 harvest time: July 15, when the fruit reaches the required maturity.

[0102] S62 Harvesting Method: Harvest on a sunny morning. Use a sharp knife to cut off the fruit stalk, leaving 1-2cm of stalk to avoid damaging the fruit.

[0103] S63 Grading and Packaging: Grading is done according to fruit size and appearance, and deformed and diseased fruits are removed. High-quality fruits are bagged and packaged.

[0104] Experimental example: The same batch of grafted watermelon and melon seedlings were planted and managed according to the methods in Examples 1-4, and were transplanted and harvested simultaneously. The yield and quality of the crops were measured and statistically analyzed, and the results are shown in Table 1. The observed indicators included: transplant survival rate, fruit set rate, pest and disease incidence rate, yield per unit area, soluble solids content, and marketable fruit rate.

[0105] Table 1

[0106] The above data shows that, compared with the conventional planting management method (Example 4), the seedling hardening pretreatment method (Examples 1-3) in the planting management method of the present invention significantly improves the transplanting survival rate and fruit setting rate, greatly reduces the incidence of pests and diseases, reduces pesticide and management costs, and has a significant yield-increasing effect, increasing the yield per unit area by more than 50%. It also significantly improves the soluble solids content and marketable fruit rate of the fruit, with the soluble solids content increasing by more than 3 percentage points and the marketable fruit rate reaching more than 93%, resulting in excellent fruit marketability. Example 2 is worse than Examples 1 and 3, indicating that the soil conditioner can significantly improve the survival rate of grafted seedlings and enhance their resistance during transplanting and seedling establishment, thereby further promoting the improvement of fruit yield and quality. A comparison of Examples 1 and 3 revealed that after omitting some components in the soil conditioner of the present invention, all of the above indicators decreased to varying degrees, indicating that the soil conditioner has a significant overall synergistic effect. When used in conjunction with the planting management method of the present invention, it can adapt to the planting needs of grafted watermelons and melons in various production areas, achieve the purpose of increasing yield and improving quality, and solve the problems of poor adaptability and low efficiency of existing management schemes.

[0107] It should be noted that some detailed steps of the operation are not described in this invention, but are prior art known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be repeated here. Furthermore, in this invention, all features defined in the form of numerical ranges or percentage ranges, such as numerical values, quantities, contents, and concentrations, are for the sake of simplicity and convenience only. Accordingly, the description of numerical ranges or percentage ranges should be considered as covering and specifically disclosing all possible secondary ranges and individual numerical values ​​(including integers and fractions) within those ranges.

[0108] It should be noted that the detailed structure of some devices is not described in this invention, but is prior art known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be elaborated here. In this invention, structures and devices not specifically limited can be purchased commercially, and those skilled in the art only need to install and operate them according to the accompanying instruction manual, without requiring any creative effort from those skilled in the art.

[0109] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them. In this invention, not all possible combinations of the various technical features in each embodiment or implementation are described. As long as the combinations of these technical features do not contradict each other, the various technical features in each embodiment or implementation can be combined arbitrarily, and all possible combinations should be considered within the scope of this specification. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for cultivating and managing grafted watermelons and melons, characterized in that, include: S1 grafted seedling pretreatment: After the grafted seedlings survive, harden them off for 7-10 days. After the hardening period, remove weak and diseased seedlings, grade the seedlings according to their growth, and plant seedlings with the same growth in the same plot. S2 Transplanting Management: Transplant when the seedlings have grown to 3-4 true leaves, stems are 0.4-0.5cm thick, and the average daily outside temperature is stable at ≥15℃ and the soil temperature is ≥12℃. S3 Field water and fertilizer management: Apply base fertilizer and topdressing through drip irrigation; S4 Pruning and Fruit Retention Management: S41 pruning method: Pruning begins during the vine extension period and is carried out every 3-5 days; for melons, double vine pruning is used, with the main vine leaving 2 true leaves and the top being removed, and 2 strong lateral vines being selected as fruiting vines, while the remaining lateral vines are removed in time; for watermelons, triple vine pruning is used, with the main vine leaving 3 true leaves and the top being removed, and 3 lateral vines being selected, with only the main and lateral vines being retained for fruiting. S42 Fruit Management: For melons, leave 1-2 fruits per fruiting vine, selecting the 3rd-5th node for fruit setting; for watermelons, leave 1 fruit per plant, selecting the 2nd-3rd node for fruit setting, and promptly remove deformed and weak fruits. S5 Green Control of Pests and Diseases: Includes agricultural control, physical control, biological control and chemical control; S6 stress resistance regulation: including saline-alkali land stress resistance, arid zone stress resistance, high temperature stress resistance, and low temperature stress resistance; S7 Harvesting Management: Melons should be harvested 60-70 days after transplanting and watermelons 75-85 days after transplanting, when the fruit reaches the required maturity.

2. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the hardening-off process, the growing environment temperature for grafted seedlings should be 22-25℃ during the day and 16-18℃ at night, with ventilation throughout the day.

3. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, During the hardening-off period, the grafted seedlings are sprayed with a fungicide once and a foliar fertilizer once; the fungicide is 800 times diluted carbendazim, and the foliar fertilizer is a 0.2 wt% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution.

4. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 1, characterized in that, The S2 planting management also includes plot pretreatment, specifically: 15-20 days before planting, the soil is deeply tilled to a depth of 30-40cm, and 100-150kg / mu of soil conditioner is added to the soil. High-ridge mulching cultivation is adopted, with a ridge height of 20-25cm, and drip irrigation under the mulch is used to ensure sufficient soil moisture.

5. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 4, characterized in that, The soil conditioner comprises the following components: calcium cyclohexane 3-10 g / L, diethylaminoethanol 30-60 mg / L, tea polyphenols 1-3 g / L, methyl anisinate 0.5-1 g / L, and sodium polyphosphate 1-3 g / L. The solvent of the soil conditioner is water.

6. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 1, characterized in that, The planting density in the S2 planting management is as follows: the planting density of crops is determined according to the variety, with 1800-2500 plants / mu for melons and a plant spacing of 40cm×60cm, and 700-1000 plants / mu for watermelons and a plant spacing of 60cm×120cm.

7. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base fertilizer is applied as follows: before transplanting, apply 2000-2500 kg / mu of well-rotted organic fertilizer and 50-60 kg / mu of compound fertilizer; topdressing includes: seedling establishment fertilizer, vine extension fertilizer, fruit setting fertilizer, and fruit expansion fertilizer, applied as follows: Fertilizer application for seedling establishment: 7-10 days after transplanting, when the seedlings enter the establishment period, apply 10-15 kg / mu of urea and 5-10 kg / mu of soil conditioner. Vine extension fertilizer: Apply 20-25 kg / mu of compound fertilizer 20-25 days after transplanting when the vines begin to extend. Fruit setting fertilizer: 5-7 days after fruit setting, apply 25-30 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer and 10-15 kg / mu of phosphorus fertilizer; Fruit enlargement fertilizer: 15-20 days after fruit set, when the fruit enters the fruit enlargement period, apply 30-35 kg / mu of compound fertilizer and 15-20 kg / mu of potassium fertilizer.

8. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 7, characterized in that, The base fertilizer and top dressing include at least one of well-rotted sheep manure and well-rotted cow manure; the compound fertilizer has an N:P:K ratio of 15:15:

15.

9. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 1, characterized in that, The S3 field water and fertilizer management also includes water regulation, specifically: maintaining soil moisture at 65-70% during the seedling establishment period, 70-75% during the vine extension period, 60-65% during the fruit setting period, 75-80% during the fruit expansion period, and stopping watering 7-10 days before harvest.

10. The planting and management method for grafted watermelon and melon according to claim 1, characterized in that, The S6 stress-resistance regulation includes: S61 Saline-Alkali Land Resistance: After planting, apply a 0.3-1.0wt% humic acid solution regularly via drip irrigation every 15-20 days. S62 Arid Zone Stress Resistance: Use straw mulching, covering 200-300 kg of straw per mu, and spray drought-resistant agents on the leaves; S63 High temperature resistance and low temperature resistance: When the temperature is high, a shade net is set up with a shading rate of 50-70%; when the temperature is low, an insulation film is covered.

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