Mexican Corn Grass Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods
Select improved varieties for planting, such as Mexican corn grass You 12. Sow early at the appropriate time in spring, with a sowing rate of 1.5-2 kg per mu; before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 30°C for 24 hours. After sowing, keep the seedbed surface moist. Within 30-50 days the seedlings grow slowly, so pay attention to weeding. At 45 days after sowing, when plant height is above 50 cm, begin harvesting, leaving a stubble height of 5 cm. After that, it can be cut again every 20 days, and 8-10 cuts can be made over the whole growth period.
1. Land preparation
Mexican corn has deep-penetrating fibrous roots and requires deep plowing. Deep plowing can create a loose plow layer, which is conducive to increasing yield. Within the depth of the cultivated layer, generally the greater the plowing depth, the greater the yield increase. The plowing depth must not be less than 22 cm, and more than 40 cm is even better.
2. Sowing
Sow early at the appropriate time in spring. For spring sowing in Panzhihua, it should be from late March to early April. On the previously leveled land, make beds 1.5 m wide, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and build drainage ditches well. The sowing rate is 1.5-2 kg per mu; before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 30°C for 24 hours. Use hole sowing or seedling transplanting at a spacing of 40 cm × 60 cm. When sowing, only a light covering of fine soil is needed. After sowing, keep the seedbed surface moist. Within 30-50 days the seedlings grow slowly, so pay attention to weeding.
3. Harvest
Mexican corn grass grows to a plant height of 3 m, with luxuriant stems and leaves. It enters a rapid growth period 30 days after sowing, and each plant can tiller more than 20 stems, with some reaching 60-70 stems. At 45 days after sowing, when plant height is above 50 cm, begin harvesting, leaving a stubble height of 5 cm to promote rapid regrowth. After that, it can be cut again every 20 days, and 8-10 cuts can be made over the whole growth period. With proper management, more than 30,000 kg of green forage grass can be produced per mu.