Cultivation Guide: Sunflower, Chili Pepper, Beans, Soybeans, and Sugarcane
Cultivation of Sunflower
Origin
The sunflower originates from northern Mexico and the western United States.
Soil
Clayey-sandy soil is ideal for sunflower cultivation.
Temperature
Optimal temperature range for sunflower growth is 25-30°C to 13-17°C.
Photoperiod and Light
Variations in leaf appearance, flowering date, and growth phase duration are attributed to photoperiod. Light intensity and quality become crucial during the reproductive phase, influencing flower development.
Humidity
Water consumption peaks during flower head formation.
Planting
Planting depth is 5-6 cm in heavy soils and 7-9 cm in light, less humid soils.
Plantation Density
Maintain 80-100 cm distance between rows, aiming for 45,000-50,000 plants per hectare.
Varieties
- Tall: 150 days
- Medium: 130 days
- Short: 125-130 days
Irrigation
Sunflower efficiently utilizes water during scarcity. While it can be rain-fed, irrigation significantly improves yield. Water requirements increase dramatically ten days after flower head onset until 25-30 days after flowering. Apply 50-60 liters per square meter ten days after flower head onset and another 60-80 liters per square meter during full bloom.
Feeding
Sunflower’s extensive root system efficiently extracts nutrients, reducing fertilizer needs. Adjust fertilizer dose based on soil nutrients, rainfall, and irrigation.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen deficiency reduces yield, while excess nitrogen decreases seed oil content and increases protein content.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus demand peaks during flowering. Phosphorus deficiency hinders early growth and achene development, causing reduced growth and leaf necrosis. Apply 40-80 kg/ha of superphosphate in autumn.
Potassium
Sunflower requires high potassium intake. A recommended dose is 100 kg/ha of potassium (K2O).
Weeds
Implement a weed management program using cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods.
Cultural Methods
Employ crop rotations.
Mechanical Methods
If a surface crust forms after sowing due to rainfall and temperature drops, harrowing is necessary to break the crust and remove emerged weeds.
Pests
- Gray worms
- Wireworms (Agriotes lineatus)
- White worms
- Sunflower moth
Control
Plant resistant varieties to control sunflower moth.
Diseases
- Downy mildew
- Charcoal rot
- Root and stem rot
- Verticillium white rot
Farming Chili Peppers
Source
Amazon account (Please specify).
Varieties
Asta deer, ox horn, horn bull, spearhead, big yellow, bright yellow short, special chili cumbaro, (offensive term removed), chili piquin, etc. Large bell peppers for green consumption. Locotes in various colors and flavors.
Climate and Soil
Ideal temperatures range from 16°C to 25°C. Sandy clay soil, well-drained, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8 is preferred.
Seedbed
Seedbed dimensions: 1 meter wide and 50 meters long. Seed quantity for 1 hectare: approximately 350 grams. Disinfect seeds with 1 liter of formaldehyde diluted in 50 liters of water, applying 5-8 liters per square meter.
Transplantation
Space plants 50-70 cm apart in the furrow.
Cultural Work
First hilling and fertilizer application one month after transplanting, followed by the first weeding. Second hilling, fertilizer application, and weeding 30 days later.
Fertilization
Fertile soil with ample organic matter is essential. Apply 18 tons per hectare during soil preparation. Chemical fertilization: 70-50-50 NPK, with some nitrogen during the first weeding and the remaining during the second weeding.
Pests and Diseases
- Pepper blast (Silva pendula)
- Rust (Puccinia capsici)
- Pepper wilt (Phytophthora citroptora)
Harvest
Harvest manually 100-120 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. Collect peppers in bags, clean, and dry in a sunny location. After drying, sort into two categories: first grade and second grade (chaupi puca – small, deformed, partially colored pods).
In Chuquisaca, peppers are packed in quarter-baskets (11.5 kg) using straw and Orochi (Ceiba spp) bark. Recently, woven plastic bags have become a more convenient and economical packaging option.
Yield
Average departmental yield is 100 kg per hectare, with potential yields up to 2 tons per hectare of dry chili.
Bean Crop
Origin and Importance
Beans are native to America.
Climate
Ideal temperatures range from 13°C to 35°C.
Soil
Franc soil with organic matter is preferred. Clay soils are unsuitable. pH should be between 5.5 and 7.5.
Varieties
Common varieties include bean bean, butter bean, string bean, and lima bean (domestic origin). Early-maturing foreign varieties like Carioca, Aroana, Sel 1, Sel 2, and Bat 80 are gaining popularity.
Planting Time
Spring (second seeding) from November to February for grain production. March for bean production.
Sowing Methods
200,000 plants per hectare, with 12-15 seeds per meter, 40-50 cm row spacing, and 3-8 cm planting depth.
Inoculation
Use Rhizobium inoculant mixed with seeds (1 kg inoculant per 50 kg seeds). Add a small amount of sugar as an adherent during sowing.
Cultivation
Weeding and hilling one to one and a half months after seeding.
Harvest
Manual harvest. For large crops, collect pods and plants together, then thresh. Store harvested beans in a cool, dry, and aerated place with 8-12% humidity to prevent fungal attack.
Yield
Yields vary depending on soil fertility, variety, Rhizobium presence, etc. Normal yields range from 800 kg to 2,000 kg per hectare, potentially doubling under optimal conditions.
Pest Control
- Phyllophaga
- Wireworms
- Foliage pests: slugs, Tortuguillas
- Bemicia tabaci (whitefly)
- Bean weevil
Disease Control
- Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum)
- Angular leaf spot (Phaeoisariopsis griseola)
Weed Control
Weeds compete for water, nutrients, light, and space, reducing bean yields by up to 90%. They also harbor insects and pathogens. Implement effective weed management strategies.
Cultivation of Soybeans
Origin and Significance
Soybeans are of Asian origin and are a crucial legume crop. In 1994, 184,056 hectares were cultivated, producing 370,846 tons.
Climate and Soil
Ideal temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C.
Planting
- Prepare the soil.
- Select seeds.
- Seed quantity varies with seed size: 65 kg for small seeds, up to 120 kg for large seeds, with an average of 2 bushels (92 kg).
- Maintain a minimum of 400,000 to 900,000 plants per hectare.
- Plant in furrows 60 cm apart, with 15-30 seeds per meter and a planting depth of 5-8 cm.
- Temperature and humidity influence germination. At 8°C, germination takes 12-14 days; at 18-21°C, it takes 5-7 days. Optimal plant development temperature is 21-25°C.
- “Crystal” remains a widely planted cultivar. Recommended varieties for summer and winter: Totai, Doko, CAC-1, PCBS-9, Crystal, Embrapa, and EMGOPA.
Cultural Care
Control weeds early to minimize plant damage. Increase foliage by leaving secondary branches after each weeding or hoeing. Conduct weeding or hoeing between rows.
Phytosanitary Treatments
Soybeans are susceptible to various insects, larvae, thrips, and ants.
Harvest
Harvest when kernels are fully mature, indicated by hardened pods that break easily when rubbed between palms.
Cultivation of Sugarcane
Origin and Importance
Sugarcane originates from New Guinea, north of Australia. Currently, 77,778 hectares are cultivated, yielding 3,158,516 tons annually. The country is self-sufficient, with exports primarily to the United States. Sugarcane is used for energy, fuel, paper production, veneer, etc.
Climate and Soil
Temperatures should not fall below 2°C. Higher temperatures increase sucrose content with adequate nutrition. Sugarcane cannot tolerate cold and entire crops can be lost.
Soils
Deep, fresh, organically rich soils with ample nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium are ideal.
Soil Preparation
Thorough soil preparation is crucial due to the crop’s multi-year lifespan. Incorporate organic matter (vegetable or animal) and apply background fertilization based on soil analysis. Plow deeply, harrow, and dredge to create a fine tilth.
Plantation
Plant cane pieces (10-12 knots/buds) in furrows 1.20 meters apart and 10-15 cm deep. Cover the rows. With sufficient moisture, new plants emerge in 15-20 days.
Cultural Care
After plant emergence, perform hilling, earthing up, and weed removal. Hilling provides anchorage, prevents waterlogging, secures plants, and aerates roots.
Pests and Diseases
- Rod borer (Diatraea saccharalis)
- Minor borer (Elasmopalpus lignosellus). Control with broad-spectrum insecticides and toxic tallow traps in cut cane.
- Rust: Controlled with resistant varieties or fungicides like Tilt.