How to grow Millettia speciosa? Detailed explanation of cultivation methods and technical key points
AbstractLand preparation: Millettia speciosa is suitable for planting in deep, well-drained sandy loam soil. After deep plowing the soil, apply an appropriate amount of ammonium bicarbonate and decomposed farmyard manure, then rake it fine and level it, and then open furrows and form ridges. Sowing: first soak the seeds to promote germination, and sow after sprouting; a chemical agent should be used to dress the seeds for sterilization. Seedling stage management: when the seedlings grow to 1-2 true leaves, thin and finalize the seedlings, with a spacing of 7-10cm for the finalized seedlings; later carry out intertillage and weeding, and apply an appropriate amount of urea, potassium sulfate, etc. as top dressing.
I. Site selection and land preparation
1. Millettia speciosa is a deep-rooted plant with relatively high soil requirements. It is suitable for planting in loose, deep, well-drained sandy loam soil. Therefore, when deciding to plant it, observe whether the local soil is suitable for growing Millettia speciosa.
2. After selecting the plot, deep plow the soil. Apply about 50kg of ammonium bicarbonate and about 5000kg of decomposed farmyard manure per mu, then rake the soil fine and level it, and then open furrows and form ridges. The ridges are 40-50cm wide and about 25cm high. To prevent the ridges from collapsing on rainy days, use tools to pat and firm both sides.
II. Seed soaking and sowing
1. Millettia speciosa can be grown by seed propagation. Pick the fruits when they are ripe, dry them in the sun, and take out the seeds. Select mature, undamaged, disease-free, plump seeds for sowing.
2. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 40-50°C for several hours, then take them out and place them in an environment at a temperature of 40°C and a humidity of 85% to promote germination.
3. After the seeds sprout, they can be sown. When sowing, a chemical agent can be used to dress the seeds for sterilization, which helps reduce the incidence of pests and diseases. Then open furrows on top of the ridges and sow, with a seed spacing of 3-5cm. After sowing, cover with 3cm of soil. The seeding rate is about 200 grams per mu.
III. Seedling stage management
1. When the seedlings grow to 1-2 true leaves and to 2-3 true leaves, thinning is needed once each time, which helps enhance ventilation and light transmission between seedlings and promotes uniform emergence.
2. At the same time, finalizing the seedlings is also needed. When finalizing, control the seedling spacing at 7-10cm. During this period, remove weak seedlings, diseased and dead seedlings, and overly vigorous seedlings, leaving seedlings of the same size for finalizing. This facilitates later management. If you want to bring them to market earlier, the spacing can be appropriately larger; if you want to bring them to market later, the spacing can be appropriately denser.
IV. Later management
1. Millettia speciosa grows relatively slowly. During the seedling stage there are many weeds, and the weeds compete with the seedlings for nutrients, making the seedlings grow even more slowly. Therefore, according to the field conditions and the growth of the seedlings, carry out intertillage and weeding reasonably.
2. During the growth of Millettia speciosa, carry out top dressing 3 times. The 1st time can be when the plants grow to more than 30cm, applying 10kg of urea per mu; the 2nd time can be during the vigorous growth period of Millettia speciosa, applying 8kg of urea per mu, and top dressing can be combined with watering so that the fertilizer can be fully absorbed; the 3rd time can be during the tuberous root expansion period, applying 5kg of potassium sulfate and 10kg of diammonium phosphate per mu, which helps improve its quality and yield.