When is the planting time for foxtail millet? Spring millet in April, summer millet in June
SummarySpring millet: planted in late April, the sowing period is from Qingming to Guyu, and it can be harvested in mid-to-late September. Summer millet: planted in late June, the sowing period is after the winter wheat harvest, and it can be harvested in early-to-mid October. The sowing temperature is around 8°C, and it is more suitable to choose soil that is fertile, loose, well-drained and irrigated, and high in nutrients.
I. Planting time of foxtail millet
1. Spring millet
Spring millet is planted in late April, the sowing period is from Qingming to Guyu, and it is harvested in mid-to-late September.
2. Summer millet
Summer millet is planted in late June, the sowing period is after the winter wheat harvest, and it is harvested in early-to-mid October.
II. Planting techniques for foxtail millet
Foxtail millet, namely millet, is relatively common in northern China. It is a major food crop and can also be used as feed for poultry. Its grains are rich in nutrients and have effects such as clearing heat and quenching thirst and tonifying the spleen and promoting stomach function. The planting techniques for foxtail millet are as follows.
1. Land selection and seed selection
(1) Land selection: For foxtail millet, plots that are fertile and loose, well-drained and irrigated, and high in nutrients are generally selected for planting. After selecting the land, it should be finely leveled and harrowed in combination with land preparation, which can increase the number of germinating and emerging foxtail millet seedlings. Continuous cropping is avoided, and it is best not to plant foxtail millet as the previous crop either, so as to ensure yield.
(2) Seed selection: When selecting seeds, try not to choose shriveled, lighter inferior seeds. It is best to choose superior seeds with good stress resistance, high yield, great commercial value, and rich nutrients. After seed selection, carry out operations to remove inferior seeds and soak the seeds, using salt water soaking for screening, which can improve the quality of foxtail millet. Finally, treat the selected seeds with chemicals, which can enhance the disease resistance of foxtail millet.
2. Timely sowing
(1) The optimum sowing temperature is about 8°C, which can ensure soil moisture. After fine leveling, dig holes, and cover with soil after sowing.
(2) If rainy weather occurs during the sowing period, roll in time to prevent soil hardening, which can promote seed growth and development, increase the number of buds and seedlings, and ensure uniform and strong seedlings.
(3) Reasonable density should be based on terrain and soil fertility. For example, flat land or plots with sufficient fertility should have a greater density, while poor plots should have the opposite.
3. Reasonable fertilization
(1) Base fertilizer: Mainly apply fully decomposed farmyard manure, combined with applying superphosphate, in combination with land preparation and soil turning.
(2) Topdressing: After sowing, mainly apply nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer as seed fertilizer, which can meet the nutrient needs during the growth period; when the seedlings are about 40cm high, dig trenches near a seedling spacing of 5cm, apply nitrogen fertilizer as topdressing, and cover with soil after spreading evenly to improve fertilizer efficiency; when topdressing, pay attention to controlling the amount, as excessive amounts can easily burn seedlings and affect growth.
4. Field management
(1) Seedling pressing: Carry out when the seedlings have 3-4 leaves, which is beneficial for developing strong roots.
(2) Thinning: Carry out when the seedlings are 3cm high, to ensure the growth space and nutrient area of foxtail millet.
(3) Final thinning: Carry out when the seedlings are 6cm high, to ensure the number of emerged foxtail millet seedlings, retaining seedlings with good growth and no pests or diseases.
(4) During the growth period, weed and loosen the soil for foxtail millet, which can promote root development; water appropriately at the jointing stage and filling stage, and in summer drought, irrigate and topdress in time, which can promote flower spikes, increase the number of grains and seed-setting rate, thereby increasing yield.
5. Pest and disease control
Foxtail millet has strong disease resistance and a low incidence of diseases. During the seedling stage and jointing stage, pests such as aphids and armyworms are prone to appear. Use 50ml of 5% phoxim per mu mixed with 40kg of water for spraying. From the filling stage to the maturity stage, for early-maturing varieties of foxtail millet, pay attention to preventing bird damage and lodging, and check frequently for prevention.
6. Timely harvest
When the millet ears are yellow, the grains are hard, and the leaves are yellow, it is basically ready for harvest. After harvesting, pile for about 7-10 days before threshing, which can increase the yield of foxtail millet.