"Cash crops?" Brida asked herself in a quizzed whisper.

"Yes, I think your main problem is the input-output ratio during the period of improving the desert soil."

Chen Cheng said: "If these psammophytes can bring you certain economic benefits while improving the desert, is there not so much pressure?" ”

"That's right!" Brida slapped her thigh and looked at Chen Cheng excitedly.

"Xiao Chen, it's still your head that turns fast." Zeng Lao said with emotion.

Chen Cheng turned his head and asked Brida: "Which of these desert plants can be used as cash crops?" ”

"Hmm... Dates, counted? ”

Brida is not particularly sure.

Although the sand date looks a bit like a date on the outside, it is not a date.

Sand jujube is commonly known as sea buckthorn, perennial shrub taste sour and astringent, used in medicine, an important material in Mongolian medicine, small, large core, rich in nutrition, mainly yellow in color, and mostly round and flat in fruit shape.

In general, wild dates do not taste good, and local farmers only use them as feed. Its leaves and fruits are high-quality feed for sheep, and sheep like to eat them all year round.

After eating the fruit of sand date, the sheep not only increase fat and strength, but also improve the estrus of ewes and the breeding rate of rams, which is conducive to reproduction.

In the winter storm weather in the northwest, the sand date forest is a place for sheep to take refuge and protect their livestock. It can also be fed to pigs and other livestock, which has a good effect on the fattening and fattening of pigs, and the lactation of litters.

From the perspective of the nutritional content of the jujube, its leaves and fruits contain the nutrients needed by livestock.

In addition to forage, it is also a good afforestation, greening, charcoal, windbreak, and sand-fixing tree species. Jujube powder can also be used for brewing, vinegar, soy sauce, jam, etc., and the dross can still be fed.

Jujube is a good nectar source plant, containing aromatic oils, which can extract flavors and spices. The sap can be used to extract sand date gum, which is a substitute for gum arabic.

That is, farmers in desert areas mostly use dates as a crop similar to corn to feed livestock.

Its economic value is not very high.

"We grow wild dates in the desert because it's more drought-tolerant, but at the same time, the fruit has a poor taste and can only be used to feed livestock," Brida said.

At present, the sand dates planted on the market for human consumption are artificially cultivated varieties, with good taste, but low yield, and artificial irrigation. ”

As soon as he explained this, Chen Cheng almost understood.

However, he believes that as long as there are artificially modified varieties with better taste, then he can quickly improve the wild sand dates through genetics.

"Are there any other cash crops that can be grown in the desert?" Chen Cheng asked,

Brida thought for a while and said, "No, although a more valuable cash crop like wolfberry is drought resistant, it is not resistant to high and low temperatures, and the temperature difference in the desert is very large throughout the year, so it is difficult to survive." ”

Chen Cheng asked: "What soil conditions do you need to grow watermelons in the desert?" ”

"Generally, watermelons can only be grown after the desert soil has been improved to allow the soil to reach a certain level of water retention capacity and microbial reproduction.

The sand and gravel on the surface of the desert soil is not conducive to water retention, but watermelons need a lot of irrigation during the development stage, so they can only be planted after the soil is improved, the soil viscosity increases, and the microbial content in it is enough to decompose to form more nutrients.

Expert Xiao Chen, you don't know how much manpower and material resources we have to spend on irrigating land in the desert. ”

Chen Cheng nodded, and then asked, "Are there any other requirements?" ”

Brida shook her head: "As long as the soil is suitable, the desert climate is very suitable for watermelon growth." ”

Although the world's largest watermelon production is in China, watermelons actually come from Africa. From the point of origin of watermelon, watermelon is indeed a fruit that likes to be dried at high temperatures.

As a fruit that likes warm, dry climates and is not cold-tolerant, watermelon has its own unique growth and development needs.

The most suitable temperature for the growth and development of watermelon is 24-30 degrees, and 30-32 degrees is the most suitable temperature for the development of its root system.

"Deceived Kangxi"

The climate of the desert area happens to be characterized by a huge temperature difference between day and night, and the desert climate is very favorable for the cultivation of watermelons.

This is also the reason why watermelons grown in desert climates are sweet and delicious.

The watermelon fruit is within the range of its growth cycle, the higher the temperature, the earlier the ripening of the fruit, and the quality of the watermelon is also very good. The temperature of the desert climate has a constant temperature mechanism, which is also very beneficial for the growth and development of watermelon.

Moreover, the ripening period of watermelon is short, and it can be completed from sowing to harvesting in June and August every year. Just to avoid the desert cold season.

"That's it...."

Chen Cheng felt that it was not that Bridda was not capable of technical ability, but that the harsh natural environmental conditions of the desert limited their input-output ratio in desert transformation.

Transforming the desert into a soil suitable for cultivation is a big undertaking.

"Xiao Chen, have you thought of a good way?" Zeng Lao asked.

When Chen Cheng introduced Brida just now, he had been thinking about the problem quickly.

After ruling out a lot of hypothetical formulas, he still put the technical point on rhizobia.

After all, the nitrogen-fixing ability of rhizobia is the artifact of soil transformation.

But rhizobia alone will not work.

"Zeng Lao, I currently have some clues, but I have not yet formed a complete set of technical routes, and I still need to sort it out carefully." Chen Cheng said.

Zeng Lao nodded and said, "Yes." Desert management is very difficult and cannot be achieved overnight. I'm sure you'll figure it out soon, though. ”

Chen Cheng said: "Teacher Brida, can you send me a copy of all your technical materials on desert soil improvement?" I went back and studied it carefully. ”

Brida agreed.

In the afternoon, there was still a technical discussion and exchange, mainly because Zeng Lao and Academician Zhou Kai reported their recent technical achievements in hybrid rice.

Of course, it includes the technical content in which Chen Cheng participated.

After the meeting, Chen Cheng prepared to return to the Agricultural University immediately.

Zeng Lao sent him to the door of the hotel.

"Xiao Chen, remember what I said, in addition to scientific research, you must learn to combine work and rest. Don't get too tired. Zeng Lao held his hand and said with concern.

Chen Cheng nodded and said, "Elder Zeng, you also have to protect your body. ”

Zeng Lao said: "That's natural, old man, I still want to work with you on super rice technology." ”

Chen Cheng said with a smile: "Old Zeng, I remember what you said about the dream of 'enjoying the cool under Hexia', don't worry, I will help you realize it one day." ”

Zeng Lao smiled and waved his hand at Chen Cheng, who was sitting in the car.

Chen Cheng also smiled at him and waved goodbye reluctantly.

Sometimes, a casual separation can be forever.