How to grow goosegrass seeds? Planting methods and key technical points

Goosegrass seeds are the seeds of goosegrass (Eleusine indica), an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Eleusine in the grass family (Poaceae). It is mainly distributed across all provinces and regions of northern and southern China as well as in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. It can be used as fodder, and the whole plant can also be used as a traditional Chinese medicine. So how should goosegrass seeds be planted?

1. How to grow goosegrass seeds

Goosegrass has a well-developed root system and strong adaptability; it can grow in all kinds of environments and has no requirements for soil or fertilizer. When planting the seeds, you simply scatter them on the soil and sprinkle water. Generally, vigorous growth begins in about a week.

Under natural conditions, goosegrass reproduces in two ways: sexual and asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction occurs through roots, stems, leaves, or organs such as rhizomes, stolons, tubers, corms and bulbs. Sexual reproduction mainly occurs through seeds that spread and disperse everywhere; the modes of dispersal are by natural forces such as wind and flowing water and by animals eating and excreting them, or by attaching to machinery, animal fur, or people's clothes and shoes, dispersing everywhere as machinery, animals or people move.

2. The medicinal value of goosegrass

Although goosegrass is a weed that is very harmful to agricultural cultivation, it is also a high-quality fodder and can be used as a soil-conserving plant, with a good effect on preventing soil erosion. In addition, when used medicinally, goosegrass can also help prevent and treat Japanese encephalitis. Its main effects are in preventing and treating summerheat fever, infantile convulsions, Japanese encephalitis, epidemic meningitis, jaundice, strangury, difficult urination, dysentery, bloody stool, swollen and painful sores and ulcers, and bruises and injuries. The processing method is to take the raw medicinal material, remove impurities, wash it with water, dry it, and cut it into long sections.

That is all for goosegrass. After planting goosegrass, it must be harvested cleanly; otherwise it is extremely detrimental to the next year's crop planting, as it can compete with crops for water, nutrients and light energy, and is not easy to remove.