Sweet potato bedding is a crucial step in seedling cultivation. After the seedbed and seed potatoes are prepared, the next step is to bed the seed potatoes on the seedbed to ensure optimal sweet potato growth. So, what are the methods of sweet potato bedding? Let's find out.
Methods of Sweet Potato Bedding
1. Slope Planting Method
In the slope planting method, the seed potatoes are placed diagonally with the head facing upwards and the tail downwards. The head of the seed potatoes being planted later should be pressed against the tail end of the previous layer of seed potatoes, overlapping in this manner. Generally, 20-30 kilograms of seed potatoes can be planted per square meter of seedbed.
Advantages: The slope planting method can save space in the seedbed and facilitate centralized management.
2. Flat Planting Method
In the flat planting method, potato chunks are evenly placed flat on the seedbed with gaps between them. After planting, a layer of plastic film is laid over the sweet potatoes and tightly covered to maintain soil moisture and temperature. Once the sweet potato seedlings emerge, regular weed removal and fertilization can commence.
Advantages: The flat planting method allows for more seedlings per potato chunk, making efficient use of limited seedbed space and providing sufficient seedlings for large-scale production.
3. Straight Planting Method
In the straight planting method, sweet potatoes are placed vertically on the seedbed with the head up and the tail down.
Advantages: Utilizing the advantage of sprouting from the top end, this method can produce more sprouts and save space in the seedbed.
Considerations for Sweet Potato Bedding
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Timing: Depending on local temperatures, sweet potatoes should be bedded 30-35 days before spring planting. Bedding too early can prolong the seedling period due to cold weather, while bedding too late may result in delayed planting.
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Classification: Due to differences in potato chunk sizes, they should be classified and bedded accordingly. Larger chunks should be bedded deeper while smaller ones should be bedded shallower.
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Orientation: Clearly distinguish between the head and tail of the potatoes and avoid planting them upside down.
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Covering: After bedding, water the potato chunks with diluted animal manure, cover them with fine soil, and ensure that the soil covering is sufficient.
In summary, the main purpose of sweet potato bedding is to distribute potato chunks evenly to ensure each receives sufficient nutrients. The methods generally include straight, slope, and flat planting, along with some techniques and considerations to be mastered.
