Non-pollution cucumber topdressing carbon dioxide gas fertilizer

Non-Pollution Cucumber Topdressing with Carbon Dioxide Gas Fertilizer

Carbon dioxide is a crucial component for plant photosynthesis. In winter and spring, when cucumbers are grown in solar greenhouses, the limited air exchange can cause indoor CO2 levels to drop significantly, reaching their lowest point between 10-14 hours. This is also the time when plants have the strongest photosynthetic activity, but the lack of CO2 creates a serious deficiency, which can negatively impact the growth and development of cucumber plants. By supplementing carbon dioxide, you can greatly enhance the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants, making them stronger, more resistant to diseases, and ultimately increasing the yield.

Currently, many farmers use chemical reactions to produce carbon dioxide fertilizer. This method is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for rural conditions, making it easy to implement. The process involves reacting industrial sulfuric acid with ammonium bicarbonate to generate carbon dioxide gas.

To prepare the solution, first, pour three parts of water into a plastic or ceramic container. Then, slowly add one part of concentrated sulfuric acid along the side of the container while stirring continuously. Once fully mixed and cooled to room temperature, transfer the diluted sulfuric acid into an open plastic bucket. You can add 2–3 doses at a time. When all the ammonium bicarbonate in the bucket has reacted and released carbon dioxide, the remaining dilute sulfuric acid can be saved for future use. This reduces the need for frequent dilution and prevents overuse of ammonium bicarbonate, which could lead to excess ammonia production, harmful to crops. When adding ammonium bicarbonate, wrap it in thick paper, poke a few holes, and slowly introduce it into the sulfuric acid to avoid violent reactions and potential splashing. Never let ammonium bicarbonate float on the surface, as this may release ammonia gas. Since CO2 is heavier than air, it should settle and spread evenly. Therefore, the sulfuric acid container should be suspended in the air, ideally slightly above the growing points of the plants. For even distribution, place 6–8 units per 667 square meters of greenhouse. After complete reaction (no more ammonia is released), the resulting ammonium sulfate solution can be diluted 50 times and used as a top dressing.

The daily amount of reactants can be calculated using the following formula: Ammonium bicarbonate (grams) = Volume of protected space (cubic meters) × 0.000001 × 1200–2000 Sulfuric acid (grams) = Daily ammonium bicarbonate requirement (g) × 0.62 Note: Protected space volume = area × average height. CO2 application concentration for cucumbers is typically 1200–2000 ppm (0.000001). 0.0036 represents the grams of ammonium bicarbonate needed per cubic meter to produce CO2. 0.62 indicates the grams of sulfuric acid required to react with 1 gram of ammonium bicarbonate.

Another option is using the carbon dioxide particulate fertilizer developed by the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences. It can be buried in the soil or added to water in a container, releasing CO2 gradually into the air. This method is easy to apply without special equipment, but the release rate is harder to control. It's best to apply it during the fruiting stage, not before flowering or fruit setting, to prevent excessive vegetative growth due to over-nutrition. During periods of weak light in winter, when plants grow poorly and CO2 levels are low, it can be applied earlier. Based on daily CO2 changes in the greenhouse, it is generally recommended to apply it half an hour after sunrise on sunny days and stop 30 minutes before sunset. CO2 fertilization is usually done in the morning on sunny days and avoided in the afternoon. On cloudy, rainy, or snowy days, or when temperatures are low, photosynthesis is weak, so no application is needed.

Source: Guangdong Agricultural Information Network

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