International Journal of Aquaculture, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 37-44 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 37 Review and Progress Open Access Advancements in Cultivation Techniques and Post-Harvest Handling of Lotus Rhizome (Nelumbo nucifera) Yue Zhu, Xianming Li Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: xianming.li@cuixi.org International Journal of Aquaculture, 2025, Vol.15, No.1 doi: 10.5376/ija.2025.15.0005 Received: 24 Jan., 2025 Accepted: 24 Feb., 2025 Published: 28 Feb., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Zhu and Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhu Y., and Li X.M., 2025, Advancements in cultivation techniques and post-harvest handling of lotus rhizome (Nelumbo nucifera), International Journal of Aquaculture, 15(1): 37-44 (doi: 10.5376/ija.2025.15.0005) Abstract This study provides an overview of the latest techniques in lotus rhizome cultivation, including water quality management, soil improvement, the development of high-yield and disease-resistant varieties, and integrated pest and disease management strategies. It thoroughly explores advancements in mechanized harvesting, storage and preservation, and value-added processing technologies, with a particular focus on measures such as temperature and humidity control, coating preservation, and controlled atmosphere storage to extend shelf life. The study indicates that integrating smart agriculture and automated equipment can further enhance lotus rhizome production efficiency, while data-driven decision-making supports precision cultivation and disease prevention. This research highlights the critical role of technological innovation in improving the sustainability and market competitiveness of the lotus rhizome industry and calls for strengthened international collaboration and knowledge exchange to drive continuous progress in lotus cultivation and processing. Keywords Lotus rhizome cultivation; Integrated pest and disease management; Mechanized harvesting; Storage and preservation; Smart agriculture 1 Introduction Lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera) is a very useful crop, especially in Asia, where many people use it to cook or use it as medicine. Now, people's demand for ready-to-eat food is getting higher and higher, which has led to the continuous increase in consumption and planting of lotus roots (Worarad et al., 2021). In order to ensure the quality of lotus roots and extend the shelf life, better methods are needed to plant and process lotus roots. Establishing an efficient method for lotus root callus culture can help us better study its rhizome development and the nutrients inside. This also contributes to the advancement of agricultural technology (Zhao et al., 2016; Deng et al., 2020). Lotus, which we often call "lotus", has a deep cultural and historical background in many Asian countries. People like it not only because it looks good, but also because it represents purity, strength, and revelation in religion and traditional culture. In the past, lotus was planted mainly to harvest its rhizomes, which is the lotus root we eat. This part is not only the ingredient of many traditional dishes, but is also used as a medicinal ingredient (Huang et al., 2021; Jiang et al., 2023). Lotus grows well in water and is also regarded as a highly adaptable and symbolic plant. This study will introduce some new advances in lotus root planting and post-harvest treatment. We will see how you grow lotus roots now, how effective these methods are in improving yield and quality; we will also study new technologies for harvesting, storage and transportation. In addition, some more environmentally friendly cultivation practices will be analyzed, and how these practices will help environmental protection. Our goal is to promote the cultivation and management of lotus roots, make agriculture more sustainable, and promote economic development. 2 Current Status of Lotus Rhizome Cultivation 2.1 Major producing regions and global cultivation trends Lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera) is now mainly grown in Asia and is an important ingredient in the diet and culture
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