Adaptability Evaluation and Annual Production Model of Chinese Vegetable Varieties in Burundi

Burundi is one of the least developed countries identified by the United Nations. Vegetable is the main crop in Burundi, but the variety is relatively simple and the planting level is low. Making use of the rich vegetable varieties and advanced cultivation techniques in China, the adaptability evaluation of new vegetable varieties in China was jointly carried out in Burundi to screen the vegetable varieties suitable for local cultivation. The purpose of this paper is to study the integration of high-yield cultivation techniques and annual production model to improve the level of vegetable cultivation in Burundi. From 2009 to 2015, our unit, together with the Burundian Fruit and Vegetable Promotion Center, carried out screening experiments on 144 vegetable varieties, such as tomato, balsam pear, chieh-qua, wax gourd, and cabbage. Through the methods of preliminary screening and experimental screening, the vegetable varieties suitable for planting in Burundi were selected, and the cultivation techniques of some main vegetable varieties were studied. The demonstration new varieties and new techniques were integrated to verify the high-yield cultivation techniques in the field. In 2009, 18 varieties suitable for local planting were selected from 96 vegetable varieties. In 2010, 40 vegetable varieties were selected for screening test, and 9 varieties suitable for planting in Burundi were selected. In 2011, 27 vegetable varieties selected in 2009 and 2010 were further evaluated for adaptability, and 13 vegetable varieties with high yield, strong resistance and good marketability were selected. Among them, there were 5 melon vegetables, 3 solanaceous fruit vegetables, 1 legume vegetables and 4 leafy vegetables. The cultivation techniques of some vegetable varieties were studied from 2011 to 2012, and the key points of cultivation techniques of chieh-qua and other vegetable varieties were clarified. According to the ecological characteristics of two main vegetable producing areas (the plateau and plain areas of Burundi), six sets of annual production and cropping arrangement plans covering melons, leafy vegetables, solanaceous fruits, beans and other vegetables were put forward, and the annual production model of multiple cropping and three-dimensional cultivation was integrated. From 2014 to 2015, according to the previous test results and market demand, 8 vegetable varieties were selected for Burundi to carry out screening experiments. 4 varieties with good yield and adaptability were selected for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015. The integrated demonstration and effect verification of some selected vegetable varieties and cultivation techniques were carried out from 2015 to 2016, and the comprehensive advantages such as field yield and economic benefit were obvious. In this study, the adaptability of Chinese vegetable varieties in Burundi was evaluated, and 17 vegetable varieties suitable for local production were selected, including 5 melon vegetables, 5 solanaceous fruit vegetables, 1 legume vegetables and 6 leafy vegetables. This paper studies the integrated cultivation techniques and annual production model with obvious advantages in yield and benefit, which plays an important role in improving the planting level and benefit of vegetables in Burundi.