Ways to properly regulate soil moisture according to crop needs and soil conditions

Here are some common crops and their need for soil moisture:

1. Rice: Rice is a crop with high moisture requirements. In the seedling stage and early reproductive stage, rice requires high soil moisture, which should be maintained between 60% and 90%. And in the middle and late stages of rice fertility, the appropriate range of humidity is 50 to 70 per cent. Once the humidity is too high or too low, it will affect the growth and development of rice plants, resulting in yield reduction.

2. Maize: Maize is one of the most important food crops in the world, and has high moisture requirements. In the seedling period and early reproductive period, maize on the soil moisture requirements are more stringent, humidity should be maintained between 60% to 90%. And in the middle and late stages of maize fertility, the appropriate range of humidity is 50 to 70 per cent. Once the humidity is too high or too low, will affect the growth and development of maize plants, resulting in yield reduction.

3. Wheat: wheat is a drought-resistant crop, but the appropriate range of humidity is still a certain requirement. Wheat in the early stage after sowing, need to maintain high humidity, generally between 70% to 80%. By the tillering and grouting period, the appropriate range of humidity can be moderately reduced to 60% to 70%. If the humidity is too high, it is easy to trigger poor germination of wheat, pests and diseases breeding and other problems.

4. Soybean: Soybean is also an important oil crop, and its demand for soil moisture is high. During the seedling stage, soybean needs to maintain soil moisture between 70% and 90% to ensure the normal growth of seedlings. During flowering and pod formation, soil moisture should be maintained between 60% and 70% to promote bud differentiation and fruit formation. If the humidity is too low, it will lead to flower and pod drop and affect the yield.

5. Vegetables: Different types of vegetables have different soil moisture requirements. For example, leafy vegetables require high soil moisture to maintain the freshness of their leaves, usually between 70% and 90%. Root vegetables, on the other hand, need to be maintained at a lower moisture level to promote root development and stem and leaf growth, generally between 60% and 70%. If the humidity is too high or too low, it may lead to poor growth or quality decline of vegetables.

In short, there are differences in the demand for soil moisture among different crops, so it should be reasonably regulated in agricultural production according to the specific needs of crops and soil conditions. Appropriate soil moisture can promote healthy crop growth and nutrient absorption, improve crop yield and quality.

How to make reasonable control according to the needs of crops and soil conditions?

Methods to reasonably regulate soil moisture according to crop needs and soil conditions include:

1. Irrigation: According to the water demand characteristics of different crops and soil moisture conditions, irrigation should be carried out at the right time and in the right amount to meet the crop's demand for water. In the dry season or dry areas, the number of times of irrigation and the amount of irrigation should be increased to ensure that the water required for normal crop growth. At the same time, care should be taken to prevent over-irrigation from causing problems such as soil salinisation or rising water table.

2. Soil improvement: Improve the water-holding capacity of the soil by improving its structure and texture. For example, increase the use of organic fertiliser to promote the formation of soil granular structure; carry out deep ploughing to break up the subsoil layer and increase the permeability and water-holding capacity of the soil.

3. Crop rotation: Through reasonable crop rotation, soil moisture can be adjusted. For example, planting crops that require less water after crops that require more water is conducive to maintaining stable soil moisture. At the same time, crop rotation can promote soil microbial activity and nutrient recycling, improve soil fertility.

4. Mulching: mulching is an effective water-saving irrigation method, which can reduce the evaporation of soil water and maintain soil moisture by mulching. At the same time, mulching can also increase the ground temperature, promote the growth of crop roots and nutrient absorption.

5. Adjust the planting method: according to the soil conditions and crop demand, choose the appropriate planting method and crop density, which is conducive to maintaining soil moisture. For example, the use of wide rows of dense planting, strip planting and other planting methods is conducive to improving soil permeability and water retention capacity.

6. Precision agriculture technology: using modern information technology and sensor technology, real-time monitoring and data analysis of soil moisture, precise irrigation and fertiliser application according to crop demand and soil conditions. This can improve water utilisation efficiency, reduce resource waste and improve agricultural production efficiency.

In summary, reasonable regulation of soil moisture requires comprehensive consideration of crop demand and soil conditions. By adopting appropriate irrigation, soil improvement, crop rotation, mulching, adjusting planting methods and precision agriculture techniques, a suitable soil environment can be created to promote healthy crop growth and nutrient absorption.

Agricultural Sensors Catalogue

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