Shandong explores new agricultural production technologies during the -Three Autumn Periods- to promote production capacity improvement

In a recent interview, Wang Xijiu, a senior agronomist at the Digital Agriculture and Rural Development Center in Huantai County, Zibo City, shared insights from this year’s autumn harvest. He noted, “By increasing the corn planting density from 4,500 to between 5,500 and 6,000 plants per acre, we’ve seen a significant boost in yield.” This year’s measurements revealed that summer maize cultivated using precise density control techniques achieved a yield of 973.29 kg per acre.

However, Wang observed that as planting density rises, the corn stalks tend to become thinner and weaker, making them more prone to lodging during late growth stages. To counter this, he selected corn varieties that are more resilient to density and utilized vacuum seeders for single-seed precision planting, enhancing the quality of sowing. “Additionally, we focus on implementing precise management during the 6 to 9 leaf stages of the corn plants to reduce the height of the basal internodes and improve the stalk’s ability to resist lodging,” he explained.

On October 10, at a farming site in Zhizhuang Village, Chiping District, Liaocheng, farmers were busy tilling the land. Lu Junzhi, a major grain grower in Huantai, has explored spacing between corn rows for better yield. Unlike the conventional planting patterns of 65 to 75 cm, Lu’s corn fields feature wide rows at 80 cm and narrow rows at 40 cm.

Amidst the current “Three Autumns” production season, a host of advanced agricultural practices such as integrated water and fertilizer management, precise broadcast sowing, single-seed precision planting, and multi-functional spraying techniques are gaining traction across Shandong province. These innovative approaches aim to increase per-acre yields and are being widely implemented.

In another part of Chiping District, Liu Meilong manages over 1,000 acres of farmland, including more than 200 acres of sandy soil. He described the challenges of sandy soil, including fragility and poor moisture retention, which render traditional irrigation methods ineffective for sustaining corn yields. Following expert guidance, Liu adopted a “precision drip irrigation and fertilization system” for his summer maize. This approach allows for targeted watering and fertilization, effectively addressing drought during the growing season. “This system conserves 25% more water, 15% more fertilizer, and boosts yields by over 15%,” Liu noted.

Gao Jun, deputy director of the Agricultural Development Center in Chiping District, added insight into the region’s developmental focus. “In recent years, we’ve prioritized high-quality seed selection, the application of new farming machinery, and the promotion of advanced agricultural practices, all while enhancing technical support,” he said. The integration of high-quality seeds, equipment, and techniques is driving stable improvements in maize yield.

On the ground in Yangguan Village, Yangbeixin Township, farmer Fang Xianyun from the Gao Miao Wang Town Chili Cooperative was busy drying peppers. “This year, our cooperative has standardized seed provision and purchase while also offering technical guidance, resulting in an average yield of over 1,000 pounds per acre, with income surpassing ¥10,000 (approximately $1,500) per acre,” he reported. The cooperative has fully mechanized the pepper planting process, employing modern techniques such as high bed modular planting and integrated water and fertilizer management to ensure a bountiful harvest of both wheat and peppers, advancing the digitization of the agricultural process.

Fang highlighted the use of a specialized color sorting machine for peppers, which leverages intelligent deep learning technology to distinguish between good and bad peppers based on color. “With high-resolution cameras and powerful air jets, this machine enhances sorting efficiency,” Fang explained, noting it can process approximately two tons of dried peppers per hour. Furthermore, the cooperative has fostered a collaborative model, supporting over 7,000 local pepper farmers to cultivate a total of 15,000 acres and achieve an annual production of 4,100 tons, generating over ¥42 million in sales.

In the apple orchards of Hanzhuang Village, Yiyuan County, farmers are currently busy harvesting apples. As the main apple-producing area in Zibo, the town has a dedicated fruit-growing sector spanning 96,000 acres. Wang Jiadong, a 60-year-old villager, shared, “We now optimize fertilizer applications and regularly improve soil conditions based on the growth stages and needs of the trees, significantly enhancing air circulation and light penetration in the orchards. Compared to last year, our yields have increased by 25%.”

To enhance the quality of their apples and achieve premium pricing, the town has actively developed synchronized nutritional fertilizers for apple growth. They have also created multi-element liquid fertilizers and implemented advanced soil enrichment techniques, focusing on organic matter and ground cover crops to continually improve soil health.

As an agricultural powerhouse, Shandong continually seeks to tap into the potential of facility agriculture, animal husbandry, marine fisheries, and saline-alkali land utilization to create a diverse food supply system. The province’s agricultural output value has steadily risen, with leading production in vegetables, meats, eggs, and aquatic products, contributing significantly to the variety of flavors on local tables.