Date grain intercropping technology

I. Scientific Basis for Intercropping Dates and Grains

1.1 Seizing the temporal difference between jujube trees and intercropped grains to make full use of fertilizer resources. Jujube trees are fruit trees with a late germination period, early leaf fall, and a relatively short annual growth cycle. Typically, they begin to sprout in mid-April and shed their leaves by mid to late October. Wheat is sown in late September and harvested in early June. The overlapping growth period between jujube trees and wheat is approximately 80 to 90 days. From mid-May to early June, wheat is in the flowering, grain filling, and maturation stages, requiring mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with some nitrogen. At the same time, jujube trees are in the phase of leaf development, young shoot differentiation, and new jujube head formation, which requires more nitrogen, with smaller amounts of phosphorus and potassium. As a result, there is minimal competition between jujube trees and wheat for water and nutrients. In early June, when jujube trees enter the peak fruiting stage, wheat is being harvested. Newly planted millet, summer corn, and other crops are still in the seedling stage and require less fertilizer, so they do not interfere with the jujube tree's flowering and fruiting. After mid-September, when jujube trees are harvested, their leaves accumulate more phosphorus and potassium for nutrient storage. However, at this time, wheat is still in the seedling stage and absorbs only small amounts of phosphorus and potassium. Since wheat has already received sufficient base fertilizer before sowing, there is little conflict between jujube trees and wheat.

1.2 Utilizing the different root distribution of jujube trees and intercropped crops to fully utilize water and fertilizer resources. Jujube roots are primarily distributed horizontally within the 30 cm to 70 cm soil layer under the canopy, accounting for 65% to 75% of the total root volume. The peripheral root systems are sparse and have low density, while intercropped crops have roots concentrated in the top 0 cm to 20 cm plow layer. Jujube trees mainly absorb nutrients and water from below 30 cm, while intercropped crops take up most of their nutrients from the top 20 cm. This vertical separation reduces competition and improves resource utilization.

1.3 Jujube trees have a shorter crown, sparse branches, small leaves, and limited shading, allowing for high light transmittance that does not significantly affect the light requirements of intercropped crops. (1) Intercropping with wheat: From green-up to jointing stage, wheat requires a certain amount of light. At this time, jujube trees are just beginning to grow and do not block the sunlight. From early May to early June, wheat enters heading, flowering, and grain filling, which requires about 25% to 30% of total light. The average leaf area is between 7.4 and 9.8 square centimeters, and the shade created by the jujube tree is not dense enough to form a fixed shadow. Therefore, it meets the light needs of wheat throughout its growth stages. (2) Intercropping with millet or beans: These crops are shade-tolerant with lower light saturation points, making them suitable for intercropping. (3) Intercropping with summer corn: After wheat is harvested, summer corn can be planted. Corn has a higher light saturation point and is a warm-season crop, but it has a low compensation point and high light efficiency. It is also a C4 plant, capable of accumulating dry matter even under weaker light conditions. Thus, intercropping with jujube trees can meet the light requirements and achieve higher yields.

II. Intercropping Models

1. Jujube-based, grain-assisted intercropping model. This model is ideal for areas with higher population density. Jujube trees are spaced 4 meters by 6 meters, with 37 trees per acre, covering 432 square meters, while food crops occupy 235 square meters. Alternatively, a double-row strip pattern can be used, with rows spaced 4 meters apart, small row spacing of 10 meters, and large row spacing of 10 meters. This results in 24 jujube trees per acre, covering 384 square meters, with food crops occupying 283 square meters.

2. Grain-based, jujube-assisted intercropping model. This model suits areas with less land and more people. Jujube trees are spaced 15 meters apart, with 11 trees per acre, covering 176 square meters, and food crops covering 491 square meters. Alternatively, a 4-meter spacing with 4-meter small row spacing and 18-meter large row spacing can be used, resulting in 15 jujube trees per acre, covering 240 square meters, with food crops covering 427 square meters.

3. Jujube and grain intercropping model. Suitable for areas with balanced population and land use. Jujube trees are spaced 4 meters apart, with 8 meters between rows, resulting in 21 trees per acre, covering 336 square meters, while food crops cover 331 square meters. Alternatively, a 4-meter spacing with 4-meter small row spacing and 12-meter double-row spacing can be used, with 21 jujube trees per acre.

III. Technical Points of Jujube and Grain Intercropping

The key to successful jujube and grain intercropping lies in managing the competition for water, fertilizer, and light between the two crops, aiming for mutual benefit and maximizing yield.

1. Adjust planting density appropriately. Row spacing significantly affects temperature, humidity, light, and wind speed, and plays an important role in crop production. Therefore, according to local conditions and cultivation goals, appropriate arrangements should be made. Jujube trees are typically spaced 6 meters apart, while grain crops are spaced 15 meters apart.

2. Choose the right planting direction. North-south orientation is preferable as it allows jujube trees to receive more direct sunlight and longer daylight hours.

3. Control tree height. Keeping the tree height under 6 meters helps maximize light absorption and economic returns. Ideally, the height should be between 1 and 1.5 meters.

4. Prune reasonably and manage tree shape. Proper pruning promotes better ventilation and light penetration, reducing disease incidence and improving fruit set. A well-shaped canopy is essential for both jujube and intercropped crops.

5. Select and allocate suitable crops. Choosing the right intercropped species is crucial. Ideal crops should have staggered growth periods, be short-statured, resistant to adverse conditions, and have a short growing season. Suitable options include:

(1) Wheat: Including winter and spring wheat, barley, etc. These crops are small, shallow-rooted, and have overlapping growth cycles with jujubes, making them ideal for intercropping.

(2) Legumes: Such as soybeans, peas, mung beans, and adzuki beans. These crops are short, resilient, and fix nitrogen naturally, making them excellent choices for intercropping with jujubes.

(3) Cereals: Including corn, millet, sesame, peanuts, and cotton. These crops can be intercropped with jujubes, but careful planning is needed due to their light requirements. A "dwarf-high-dwarf" or "short-medium-high-medium-dwarf" planting arrangement ensures good ventilation, light transmission, and reduced competition for water and nutrients, while also helping to control pests and diseases.

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