The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

"Uncle Wang said that it was because there was no rain in spring. It is also written in the book that long drought will lead to locusts." Li Chengqian said first: "So, the locust plague occurred because of the drought caused by the lack of rain. There has been no rain in large areas around Chang'an since the New Year. If there is no rain before the locust eggs hatch, and the land is still dry, locusts will appear."

Li Fu nodded with satisfaction.

Yes, he is a good child who listens carefully.

"So, from what is recorded in the book, including what we see in the fields now, what conclusion can we draw from this?" Li Fu asked again.

"The condition for the hatching of locust eggs is drought." Li Chengqian continued.

"Excellent!" Li Fu praised: "Do you know what the enemy of locusts is? That is, animals that can prey on locusts."

"Poultry." Li Ke said: "Chickens, ducks, geese raised by the people at home, and birds flying in the sky, they also eat insects."

"Yes." Li Fu smiled: "In addition to these, there are frogs in the water. The dry weather causes the water level of rivers and ditches to drop, or even dry up. In this case, it is not conducive to the reproduction of frogs. The number of natural enemies of locusts decreases. There are no animals that can kill locusts, which will also cause locusts to proliferate."

While talking to the children, Li Fu walked to the dry land, picked up the tools handed over by Wu Liangye, and dug up the shallow soil.

"Look, these rice-like things in the soil are locust eggs, which will hatch into locusts in the future." Li Fu said, "If it has rained, there won't be such a large number."

"Locust plagues are caused by large groups of locusts gathering together, which also shows that locusts live in groups. For example, people also live in groups, in villages, towns, and cities." Li Fu said while digging the soil under his feet: "Locusts live in groups. If their numbers are not controlled in time, their reproduction speed is very terrifying."

In the final analysis, it is the drought climate that has destroyed the ecological chain.

"Locusts have a very diverse diet and can feed on a variety of plants. When locusts lay eggs, they hide them underground. You see, if we don't bring tools to dig underground, we can't see them." Li Fu said, "In this way, the eggs laid by locusts are difficult to destroy."

"These locusts are really cunning." Li Lizhi frowned and said, "They hide themselves, grow up secretly, and then come out to harm crops."

"Yes, not only that, locusts can fly." Li Fu continued, "Once locusts fly in groups, they will gather together and fly to the same place, and new locusts will continue to join along the way."

Li Fu stood up and took the children to continue walking to other places.

Next, he will take the children to the river to check the water level of the river, and also dig up the soil in the moister part of the river to check whether there are locust eggs there.

"Won't this be endless?" Li Tai said.

"Yes, it's endless." Li Fu said, "So it's difficult to manage. In addition to the reasons mentioned by Mr. Xiao, after the locust plague, the local government has no way to manage it."

"The weather this spring is still warm, and this warmth, under this situation, is even more deadly." Li Fu shook his head helplessly: "It's better to have a more severe late spring cold."

If the weather is cold, it will have some inhibitory effect.

But to put it bluntly, the vegetation coverage rate in Jingyang County is still problematic.

The places that can be cultivated have been reclaimed for cultivation, and it is difficult to see trees in some hillsides and wild fields.

The area around Chang'an City is a good place. The population density is also greater than other places. With more people living there, it is also a test for the local natural ecology.

Ordinary people make fires to cook, chop wood and cut trees at home, everything is based on the principle of proximity.

Li Fu walked and pondered, and he remembered his "About the Optimization Layout Map of Environmental Protection in the Workshop Area of ​​Jingyang County Version 1.0".

That's right, now the first version has been rejected and optimized to version 1.0.

Now it seems that it is not enough to just be around the workshop. As the farm is further developed, greening work must be more in place.

At least we can't let locusts run rampant here in the future!

Of course, if locusts from other places fly over, there is nothing we can do. We can only hope for the chickens, ducks and geese on the farm.

Or after improving the environment, attract more birds to gather here and strengthen biological control, which is also the most effective.

Li Fu came to the river and used tools to dig up the moist soil by the river.

"Look,, there is no locust here. "Li Fu said: "This was originally a river area. Although there is no water now, the soil moisture is much higher than the place we saw just now."

"Wet places are not suitable for locusts to hatch." Li Chengqian said: "The problem is still the water. We still have to hope that God will rain."

Li Chengqian's little face was full of worry: "What if it really doesn't rain? Wouldn't it mean that the locust plague will definitely occur?"

"Now whether the locust plague will occur or not is no longer something that human power can control. Even if human power can control it, it's too late." Li Fu said: "Just now we talked about the natural enemies of locusts, birds, frogs, poultry, where can we get rid of them."

Li Fu was also worried.

"Everyone in the villages around here raises poultry, but I'm worried that this is far from enough." Li Fu said: "When we return to the farm, we will think of a way to let more people raise these things. "

Next, Li Fu took them to the densely planted area to collect soil samples.

"Locusts will not choose to lay eggs in places covered by plants." Li Fu said: "Greening is also a problem. In the future, these barren mountains can be planted with fruit trees or something, and some seeds can be found to grow a grassland. It is better than leaving it barren, and it is beautiful. "

Li Tai took a pen and paper and made a simple record on the carriage frame.

Wait until I go back and sort it out carefully.

It's really a great harvest to follow Uncle Wang out today.

Originally, they never knew about locusts, let alone figure out the reproduction and living habits of locusts.

This knowledge is also new to the children.

In addition, the children feel that they have learned these, and maybe they can help Aye solve the problem after returning to the palace.

"Uncle Wang, what about this year..." Li Chengqian was worried.

"Here in Zhuangzi, do your best and leave it to fate." Li Fu sighed and said.