Chapter 150 Root System (Medium Cup)
About half a year ago, when Jiang Miao was sorting out the experimental fields, he discovered that three new varieties of soybeans had a kind of "return to their ancestors".
In many people's minds, crops such as soybeans, rice, corn, wheat, and millet are often planted once, harvested, and replanted the next year.
But in fact, this is a wrong perception.
At present, most of the herbaceous crops cultivated by humans, whether they are leguminous, gramineous, or cruciferous, the reason why they appear to be one-year or one-season crops is because of human breeding, not That's the way they are.
Friends who have planted rice in the south know more or less that after harvesting, if the root system is not damaged and the rice is properly maintained, it can have a second spring.
In other words, a large part of the ancestors of the herbaceous crops currently cultivated by humans are perennial herbs.
Among the ancestors of soybeans, there are also perennial types.
In fact, some wild soybean varieties in the south still retain perennial growth characteristics.
Among the female parents used by Jiang Miao to cultivate new varieties, there are several wild soybean varieties. Although after hybridization and gene induction mutation, the genes of these wild soybeans only account for one-eighth of the new soybean varieties. genetics.
However, due to the induced mutation, the three new varieties all have the property of water-storing root blocks, which leads to the activation of the perennial gene group hidden in the genes of the new soybean varieties.
In the experimental field, the soybeans took about half a month to take root and sprout again after being harvested. As long as there is enough fertilizer, light and heat, they will soon bloom and bear fruit again.
And because the root system already exists and is relatively mature, the leguminous family itself is gifted with nitrogen-fixing root nodules. After a quarter of growth, a large number of nitrogen-containing root nodules are formed, providing sufficient organic nitrogen for the next growth.
At the same time, another characteristic of the new soybean variety—the water-storing root mass—provides a large amount of water, vitamins, and a small amount of sugar and amino acids for the secondary growth of soybeans.
In fact, the root pieces of these new varieties of soybeans are somewhat similar to another branch of the leguminous family: Ganoderma lucidum.
Although compared to the kudzu root of Gan Ge, the starch content of the soybean roots of the Xiandou series is not high, the water content is as high as 83%, and the starch content is about 3%. The remaining 12.8% is cellulose, 0.7% is fructose, and 0.5% is Other ingredients.
It can be seen that the root of fairy bean is similar to the fruit of the root family - yacon.
Of course, fairy bean root pieces cannot be eaten as fruit or vegetables, because they contain a lot of trypsin inhibitors and soybean lectins. If they are not fully cooked, they will be poisonous.
With the roots of the fairy beans, the perennial characteristics hidden in the genes are directly stimulated.
As long as a certain amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and trace elements are supplemented, as well as spraying plant growth hormones and foliar fertilizers once, the growth cycle of the second crop of fairy beans will be much shorter than that of the first crop.
It germinates on the 12th to 15th day, blooms on the 28th to 30th day, starts to form pods on the 33rd to 35th day, the flowering period ends on the 50th to 55th day, the first batch of pods begins to mature on the 65th to 68th day, and the first batch of pods begins to mature on the 85th to 90th day. , all pods are mature and ready for harvesting.
The yield per mu of the second crop of fairy beans, measured in the experimental field, was not much different from that of the first crop.
Although the growth cycle is more than ten days shorter, the second crop has inherent advantages.
Of course, if this were the case, the second crop growth would still not be possible in the Monan region.
After all, the frost-free period in Zhelimu City is only 140∽160 days in more than a year. After cutting off the beginning and the end, there is no way to guarantee the growth of soybeans in two seasons.
What really surprised Jiang Miao was the cold-resistant characteristics of the fairy bean series. He simulated the climate of Monan in the laboratory and found that the root system of the fairy beans could safely survive the winter in Monan, and then in the second year Bamboo shoots begin to sprout rapidly in March, and their seedling stage can withstand minus 10 degrees Celsius. As long as the daytime temperature is above zero, they will start to germinate crazily.
It starts growing in mid-March and can be harvested 90 days later, around mid-June.
After harvesting, secondary growth begins in early July, and the pods are all mature in early October. Considering the need to increase nutrient accumulation, harvesting is delayed until the end of October. After harvesting is completed, it happens to be early November.
In early November in Monan, the temperature is generally below zero, which will inhibit the underground roots of the fairy beans from sprouting again, allowing them to retain a large amount of nutrients and moisture to survive the winter.
This makes it possible to harvest two crops of soybeans a year, and using this method, there is no need to sow seeds once a year, and there is no need to water.
Only when seeds are sown in the fairy bean series, artificial watering is required in the early stage of germination to increase the germination rate and growth speed.
In Jiang Miao's experimental field, the first batch of Xiandou soybeans planted has completed its third harvest in March this year. Not only has the yield not decreased, but it has increased by about 10%.
Especially in the experimental fields that simulated part of the sandy environment, the third crop of soybeans increased production by about 17%.
This happens because the roots continue to expand into the surrounding sandy soil layer.
In red soil clay farmland and rice clay farmland, it is not conducive for soybean roots to rapidly expand and penetrate deep into the ground.
In the sandy farmland, the fairy beans series shows an extremely crazy side.
Their first main root system is concentrated at a depth of 0∽30 cm, and a small portion of capillary roots can reach a depth of 110 cm.
By the second crop, their main root system has expanded to a depth of 50∽60 cm, and their capillary roots have extended to a depth of 150∽170 cm.
By the third crop, the main root system further extended to a depth of about 100 cm, and the capillary roots extended to a depth of 270 cm.
At the same time, the weight and number of their roots will continue to increase, from 10∽15 roots and 3∽5 kg in the first crop; to 20∽30 roots and 6∽10 kg in the second crop; to 6∽10 kg in the third crop. 40∽60 pieces, 12∽20kg.
This is also the reason why the fairy beans series will start to experience a surge in yield in the third crop, because their roots accumulate too much water and nutrients.
Of course, root blocks are not without their drawbacks.
For example, many root masses will take root and sprout. This will cause one soybean to sprout more than a dozen in the second crop. However, this can be done by artificial weeding to remove some of the excess shoots and strengthen the stems by removing branches. Guaranteed output.
However, by the third crop, Jiang Miao estimated that the root system of fairy beans had reached a limit.
This is determined based on farmland planting density.
Surrounded by the roots of other soybeans, there is no way to expand the main root system. If it is in a natural environment, it is estimated that the root system of the fairy bean can continue to expand in all directions until the day it reaches the end of its lifespan.
The gene of fairy bean contains the gene fragment of short-velvety wild soybean. This wild variety is also a perennial soybean variety. It can usually survive in the wild for about 3 years, but its ultimate life span can reach 10 years.
Judging from the current situation, Jiang Miao estimates that the ultimate life span of the fairy bean series should be 6 to 7 years in an artificial cultivation environment.
However, considering that the yield of perennial plants will decrease in the later period, the old plants can be pulled out in the fifth year and new seedlings can be replanted.
Of course, you can also dig up soybean roots underground and use them as seeds. This is similar to using bean seeds, and can even ensure faster growth in the early stage.
The effect of the Fairy Bean series on sandy soil is also very amazing.
The leguminous family itself will form large nitrogen-containing nodules on the roots. Coupled with the huge root system and increasing root masses of the Senzu series, this will cause the organic matter of the soil to soar.
In fact, if you calculate it, you will know that because there are about 15,000 fairy beans per acre in the final stage, the root system and root mass of a single tree add up to about 30 kilograms. After removing the water, there are about 7.5 kilograms of cellulose, starch, fructose and Vitamins, inorganic salts, etc. can increase 112.5 tons of dry matter per mu.
Including the two crops of dead branches and leaves on the ground each year, each plant can produce about 40-50 grams of dry matter per crop, which is 6 to 7 tons of dry matter in 5 years.
Taking into account natural decomposition and plant consumption, it will probably add about 75 tons of organic matter to the soil, which is equivalent to 11.25 centimeters of black soil.
The current black soil layer in the Northeast has dropped from 70 to 100 centimeters thick in the last century to only 20 to 40 centimeters.
Planting soybeans with a five-year cycle is equivalent to 11.25 centimeters of artificial black soil.
Even if there is excess soybean production capacity in the future, these farmlands that have been transformed by Sendou soybeans can be used to grow some drought-tolerant crops.
As long as irrigation can keep up, you can even consider growing some moderately water-intensive crops.
However, it is estimated that the eastern part of Monan can barely grow non-drought-tolerant crops, while the central and western parts of Monan can only grow soybeans.
However, the Northeast region can consider using sensu soybeans to conserve black soil. As long as sensu soybeans are planted for five years, 10 to 11 centimeters of organic soil can be restored, and then high-intensity cultivation for five years can be basically done. Ensure that the organic matter content of the black soil in the Northeast does not fluctuate greatly.
This is not only effective for the black soil in Northeast China, but also has a good conservation effect on the farmland on the loess high slopes and the North China Plain. After all, in recent decades, the organic matter of farmland soil on the loess high slopes and the North China Plain has dropped significantly, and the price of organic fertilizers currently on the market is not cost-effective. Replenishing a large amount of organic fertilizers is a big expense for farmers. .
Rotational farming can be used to divide the land into two parts. One part is planted with wheat, corn and millet, and the other part is planted with fairy beans and soybeans. After five years, the land can be exchanged for planting.
Moreover, the precipitation and light and heat conditions in the North China Plain and the high loess slopes are much better than those in Monan. The accumulation of dry matter in the roots of soybeans will accelerate. If the land utilization issue is taken into account, it is possible to plant soybeans in the third year. The roots of soybeans are crushed and returned to the field.
However, Jiang Miao also knew that it was difficult to obtain large tracts of farmland in the densely populated North China Plain. In addition, the local land conflicts were serious, so Hailufeng Company would not go to the North China Plain to join in the fun, and would just sell seeds directly.
The terrain of the loess high slopes with thousands of ravines and ravines, coupled with local environmental protection requirements, is also not suitable for Hailufeng Company to enter.
This is why Jiang Miao chose eastern Monan as the first batch of large-scale experimental fields.
…
After inspecting the main base, Jiang Miao went to the nearby second base, which is near the Silver Sand Bay Scenic Area.
This base also covers an area of 500 acres. It is also transformed from a large piece of sand behind a house not far from the highway.
The person in charge of this base is Wu Song, the deputy manager of the Monan Branch. He is a local. Wu Song only has his Chinese name. He also has another name, Narisu Wuliangha.
"Dasong, how is the situation at this base now?"
We had dinner together last night, so Jiang Miao naturally knew the other person's name and nickname.
Wu Song smiled bitterly and replied: "Boss, there are not enough people in the engineering team now, so we will surround it with cement pillars and barbed wire, and then put four container houses here."
"You can ask the local construction unit to arrange the construction of sheep and cow sheds as soon as possible." Jiang Miao stepped on the soft sand and came to the sand dunes.
Looking around, the desert dunes here are higher and denser.
Next door, there is still the 33,000-acre Yinshawan Scenic Area, where many tourists are sitting on dune buggies, feeling the desert style under the biting cold wind.
"The dunes in this desert are too big. Don't modify them. Just sow soybean seeds and alfalfa seeds directly."
After Lu Weibin came over for on-site inspection, he found that the area of moving sand dunes in the desert here was very large. He gave Jiang Miao advice last night: "I think so too."
In addition to soybeans, soybeans can be used as oil and feed, and their bean sprouts can also be used as pasture, and their effects are similar to those of alfalfa.
Therefore, after the inspection, Lu Weibin planned to be extravagant and directly sow alfalfa and soybeans without modifying the dune terrain.
After reaching about 80 days of growth, it is directly harvested, and all the fresh grass and bean pods are crushed into grass powder, which can be directly fed to cattle and sheep, or used as silage.
Of course, the consequence of not transforming the terrain is that the bean sprouts and alfalfa in some areas cannot be harvested mechanically.
But it doesn't matter, because the bean sprouts and alfalfa that cannot be harvested can be grazed and eaten by cattle and sheep.
Therefore, for these 350,000 acres of desert, if it is easy to transform, it can be transformed into a soybean field that can be mechanized on a large scale. If the transformation is too difficult, we can directly bypass the laying of grass squares and fix them first, and then spread soybeans and alfalfa seeds to use as pasture.
Lu Weibin has sent people to use drone aerial photography to survey and map the rough topography of the Taminchakan Desert. Its large mobile sand dunes and semi-mobile sand dunes cover about 70,000 acres, and including the attached areas, it is about 100,000 acres.
Wu Song took a sip of water: "Boss, I think we can add a batch of grass grid layout cars."
"Okay, you can send the list to the purchasing department."
Liu Zhiben, who had chapped lips, wiped his eyes that were fascinated by the wind and sand, and then said: "Boss, if only 200,000 acres of desert can be transformed this year, I suggest that the remaining desert be sown with soybeans and alfalfa. Anyway, our Seeds are enough.”
"You make arrangements according to the situation."
Lu Weibin took off his sunglasses: "If this is the arrangement, boss, I think it is necessary to purchase a batch of large combine harvesters. Although the local combine harvester team can be hired, their size cannot meet our needs. Even the Beidahuang Group The harvesting time of its harvester fleet is similar to ours, and the distance factor may cause our soybean fields to miss the harvesting time.”
Jiang Miao also thinks this arrangement is more appropriate: "Please do some calculations and try to buy a large combine harvester with higher work efficiency to reduce the number of driver hires."
"Okay." Lu Weibin smiled and added: "Actually, we are deploying large combine harvesters. If there are other growers nearby, they will definitely need them, and we can earn a harvest fee by then."
"Don't worry about spending money. Spend it now and you will make it back with interest soon."
After eating a mouthful of sand, Jiang Miao quickly came down from the sand dune and rinsed his mouth with mineral water. This season, Zhelimu City is very windy and sandy, especially at the edge of this desert. After a while, he was covered in dust. .
Got in the pickup truck.
Jiang Miao was enjoying herself and said with a smile: "If I come back next year, I guess I won't see this wind and sand all over the sky."
"This is very possible." Lu Weibin had seen the performance of the Immortal Beans series on the laboratory sand.
"Boss, you may be disappointed." Wu Song smiled bitterly: "The sandstorm here is caused by the local area, and part of it is caused by the neighbors to the north. Even if the entire Monan sandy desert is turned into grassland, It can only reduce wind and sand, but there is no way to completely avoid it.”
"Mobei?"
"It's over there."
Everyone was chatting.
After a while, the convoy came to another place, also on the bank of the livestock river.
The sign at the door has been replaced with a new one. The new sign reads: Hailufeng Company (Monan Branch) Kulun Breeding Base.
Entered the breeding base.
There are many small-tailed Han sheep bleating inside.
After getting off the bus, there was a smell of sheep and cow dung, mixed with a hint of grass. The locals were used to it and couldn't smell it. However, Jiang Miao, who had just arrived, was immediately confused and confused. After a few days, It took a few minutes to calm down.
"Boss, the smell of the sheep shed is a bit strong." Lu Weibin handed him a bottle of white flower oil.
After taking a sip of white flower oil, Jiang Miao became more energetic: "This smell is indeed a bit uncomfortable for people who are not familiar with it."
Wu Song spoke to divert attention: "Boss, this breeding base was invested by a company from southern Hebei Province. However, because the price of beef and mutton has been low in the past two years, and the company had financial problems, it was acquired by us. ”
"How many cattle and sheep can be raised in this base?" Jiang Miao asked, looking at the many empty sheep sheds.
Wu Song replied: "We can raise 15,000 sheep or 5,000 cattle. However, the forage facilities of this company are somewhat insufficient. In addition, coupled with the low price of beef and mutton, their inventory has been decreasing in the past two years. Currently, there are only 1,700." Small-tailed Han Sheep.”
"We need to expand the scale and fill up the stock of this base." Jiang Miao turned to look at Liu Zhiben: "To treat the root cause, you arrange supporting facilities, whether it is forage processing equipment, organic fertilizer fermentation facilities, or veterinary equipment. It must be implemented as soon as possible.”
"No problem." Liu Zhiben nodded.
In fact, Hailufeng Company's entry into Monan's breeding industry has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that the price of mutton and beef is low, it is easier to purchase lambs and calves on a large scale, and you can even buy a lot of breeding sheep and cattle that can be reproduced.
The disadvantage is that it has to face the downturn in market prices.
However, for Hailufeng Company, the current market price is nothing. At most, it can use its own pasture grass, which can reduce a lot of costs.
(End of chapter)