At this crucial juncture in the village's transition to ecological agriculture, the selected pilot plots of farmland resemble fields of hope, embodying the villagers' aspirations and expectations for a new future for agriculture. Lin Yue threw herself into the project with great enthusiasm, knowing that the ecological agricultural practices about to unfold on this land would not only be a testing ground for technology but also a vital chapter in the village's destiny.
As the first rays of morning sunlight bathed the fields, Lin Yue and the villagers participating in the pilot project gathered at the edge of the fields. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of earth and the scent of new greenery, as if nature itself was cheering on this transformation. Lin Yue's eyes were firm and bright as she meticulously explained the key points and operational steps of each ecological agricultural technology to the villagers. Holding various organic fertilizers and biological control tools, she was like a wise mentor, guiding the villagers into this unknown yet hopeful realm.
In one of the pilot fields primarily used for rice cultivation, the practice of ecological agriculture was fully implemented. The first step was soil improvement. Previously, the long-term use of chemical fertilizers had led to soil compaction and decreased fertility. Lin Yue guided villagers to sow large quantities of green manure crops, such as milkvetch, in the fields after the rice harvest, allowing them to grow over winter and then be tilled into the soil the following spring. According to agricultural research data, milkvetch, as green manure, can increase soil organic matter content by approximately 100-150 kg per acre, effectively improving soil structure, making the soil looser and more aerated, and significantly enhancing its water and fertilizer retention capacity. Simultaneously, fully fermented farmyard manure was applied. This manure is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients, as well as abundant microbial flora, providing comprehensive and sustained nutrient support for rice growth.
During the sowing season, villagers abandoned the traditional method of treating seeds with chemical agents and instead used biological agents. These agents contain various beneficial microorganisms, such as Bacillus subtilis, which form a protective film around the seeds, inhibiting the invasion of harmful pathogens and improving seed germination rates and seedling disease resistance. Statistics show that after using biological agents for seed treatment, the germination rate of rice seeds increased by about 15% compared to traditional methods, and the disease incidence rate of seedlings decreased by about 30%.
During the rice growing season, pest and disease control becomes a crucial aspect. Lin Yue introduced an ecological model of "rice-duck co-cultivation." A group of lively ducks are released into the rice paddies, where they forage and consume large numbers of pests, such as rice planthoppers and leafhoppers. Observations show that releasing 15-20 ducks per acre of rice paddy can reduce pest numbers by 60%-70%. Moreover, the ducks' activities in the paddies also help with weeding and loosening the soil, and their droppings become natural fertilizer for the rice. In addition, solar-powered insecticidal lamps are installed around the rice paddies. These lamps automatically light up at night, attracting and killing pests based on their phototaxis. Compared with traditional pesticide control, this physical control method not only reduces the amount of pesticides used and avoids pesticide residue pollution of the environment and agricultural products, but also protects beneficial insects and biodiversity in the rice paddies. For example, in rice paddies where ecological pest control is used, the number of beneficial insects such as dragonflies and bees is significantly greater than in rice paddies where pesticides are used. They play an important role in the rice paddy ecosystem. For instance, dragonflies prey on pests such as mosquitoes, and bees pollinate rice, promoting its growth and reproduction.
In terms of irrigation, drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation technologies are cleverly applied here. The drip irrigation system, through pipes laid in the field, precisely delivers water to the roots of the rice plants, avoiding water waste and excessive evaporation. Sprinkler irrigation, during specific growth stages of rice, such as in periods of high temperature and drought, evenly distributes water across the paddy fields like timely rain, providing ample moisture for the rice. It is estimated that by adopting these water-saving irrigation technologies, the irrigation water consumption for rice paddies is reduced by approximately 40% to 50% compared to traditional flood irrigation methods, significantly improving water resource utilization efficiency.
In another pilot vegetable field, the ecological agriculture practices were equally impressive. Soil improvement combined composting and earthworm farming. Villagers piled up vegetable waste and livestock manure, adding appropriate amounts of microbial agents for fermentation. During the composting process, earthworms were introduced for farming. The earthworms moved through the compost, ingesting organic matter and excreting vermicompost rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This vermicompost is a high-quality organic fertilizer, not only highly fertile but also improving the soil's physical structure, making it looser and more porous. Measurements showed that compost treated with earthworms had approximately 30% higher nutrient content than ordinary compost, and the soil's aeration and water retention were also significantly improved.
In vegetable cultivation, biological control of pests and diseases has become the primary method. To combat common vegetable pests such as aphids and cabbage caterpillars, villagers plant insect-repelling plants in their fields, such as marigolds and pyrethrum. These plants release special scents or chemicals that repel pests and protect the vegetables from damage. Simultaneously, natural enemies of these pests, such as ladybugs and lacewings, are released. Ladybugs are natural enemies of aphids; a single ladybug can prey on dozens of aphids a day. Lacewings are very effective at controlling pests like cabbage caterpillars. Through this biological control approach, vegetable pests and diseases are effectively controlled, and pesticide use is significantly reduced. Statistics show that pesticide use in vegetable cultivation has decreased by more than 80% compared to traditional methods, not only reducing production costs but also producing green, healthy, and organic vegetables.
In terms of fertilization, in addition to using organic compost and earthworm castings, foliar spraying of bio-organic fertilizer is also employed. This bio-organic fertilizer is rich in nutrients such as amino acids and humic acid, which can be directly absorbed by vegetable leaves, quickly replenishing the nutrients needed for vegetable growth and improving the quality and yield of vegetables. For example, tomatoes sprayed with bio-organic fertilizer have fuller fruits, brighter colors, and the content of nutrients such as vitamin C increases by about 20%.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
