How much is water chestnut per jin now? Detailed explanation of cultivation methods
Water chestnut, also known as matai, wuyu, dili, is a common fruit and vegetable plant in China's paddy fields. Because of its sweet taste and the fact that it can be eaten raw, stir-fried, or stewed, it is deeply loved by people. It is currently sold on the market, and the price is affordable, so how much does one jin of water chestnut roughly cost now? What are the cultivation methods?
I. Introduction to water chestnut:
1. Where are the producing areas of water chestnut?
There are many producing areas of water chestnut, distributed both domestically and abroad. In China, it is mainly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Anhui, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Yunnan and other places. Among them, the water chestnut produced in Baihu Town, Lujiang County, Anhui has high quality, and it is China's largest “hometown of water chestnut.” At the same time, the water chestnut produced in Qingshan Town, Lipu County, Guilin City, Guangxi is also a nationally recognized “hometown of matai,” and has always been sold throughout the country.
2. Is water chestnut a vegetable or a fruit?
Water chestnut is both a vegetable and a fruit. It can not only be eaten raw, but also stewed or stir-fried with other foods. It can be said that there are diverse ways to eat it. Regular consumption can promote diuresis, clear the lungs and resolve phlegm, and help treat diabetes, so it is very suitable for people with diabetes, children, and chronic bronchitis.
II. How much does one jin of water chestnut roughly cost now?
Water chestnut market prices vary. Generally, it is about 4 yuan per jin, but due to differences in variety, market, quality, and selling time, there will be certain price differences. For example, at the Jiangsu Lingjiatang Agricultural and Sideline Products Wholesale Market, the price is about 2.5 yuan per jin; at the Suzhou Nanhuanqiao Agricultural and Sideline Products Wholesale Market, the price is about 2 yuan per jin; at the Anhui Hefei Zhougudui Agricultural Products Wholesale Market, the price is about 2.8 yuan per jin; at the Guangdong Shantou Agricultural and Sideline Products Wholesale Center, the price is about 5.7 yuan per jin. Therefore, the specific price should be checked at the local market.
III. What are the cultivation methods for water chestnut?
1. Land selection and preparation: What kind of land is suitable for planting?
Water chestnut is suitable for growing in an environment with loose and fertile soil, sufficient water, and good drainage. Therefore, when selecting land, try to choose a place similar to paddy fields for planting. After selecting the land, deeply plow the soil, apply an appropriate amount of calcium fertilizer or potassium fertilizer, and level it for planting.
2. Seed selection and sowing: What kind of seeds are good to choose?
(1) Seed selection: Choose water chestnuts that are large, have smooth undamaged and disease-free skin, have thick buds, and are relatively plump overall as seeds.
(2) Seed treatment: Soak the selected seeds in a sterilizing agent for 10-24 hours, then remove them and dry them for later use.
(3) Sowing method: Water chestnut is mostly propagated by corms, so the buds can be inserted upward into the mud, then covered with rice straw, and an appropriate amount of water should be poured to allow them to sprout. When watering, do not use too much or too quickly, so as not to wash away the soil on the corms.
3. Timely planting: When is the best time to plant?
(1) Planting time: They can be planted when the seedling age reaches about 45-70 days.
(2) Planting method: Plant the seedlings into the soil at a spacing of 30 cm between plants and 60 cm between rows, and the planting depth should preferably be 12-15 cm. Be sure not to plant too deep or too shallow, so that if too deep it will be difficult to harvest later, and if too shallow it may be blown down by the wind. If the seedlings are too tall, part of the tips can be cut off to prevent them from being broken by the wind or lodging.
(3) Planting density: Generally, 2500-2600 clumps per mu is best.
4. Field management techniques: How to manage?
(1) Water requirements: Water chestnut is an aquatic plant and has high water requirements. Generally, it cannot do without water throughout the entire growth period, and the field water level should be maintained at about 5-6 cm. When it reaches the fruiting stage, gradually increase the water level, but it should not exceed 20 cm. When it is time to harvest, drain the water one week in advance and dry the field.
(2) Fertilizer requirements: Water chestnut does not have high fertilizer requirements. Generally, applying sufficient base fertilizer is enough. The specific amount of fertilizer should be determined according to soil fertility. Usually, during the bud and seedling stage, applying sufficient organic fertilizer is enough, and 2000-3000 kg of farmyard manure and 25 kg of calcium fertilizer per mu is sufficient. When it reaches the vigorous growth stage, apply 10 kg of calcium fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, magnesium fertilizer, or about 25 kg of potassium chloride fertilizer per mu. When it reaches the corm enlargement stage, apply 10 kg of potassium fertilizer or 20 kg of compound fertilizer per mu.
(3) Pest and disease control: During the growth period of water chestnut, diseases and pests such as rust disease, blight, stem blight, and white borer are prone to occur, so preventive measures should be taken in advance. For those already affected by pests and diseases, timely targeted control should be carried out.
5. Timely harvest: When is the best time to harvest?
Water chestnuts can be harvested in mid-November. Before harvesting, try to wait until the water in the field has dried up. After harvesting, use water chestnuts with a single fruit weight above 18 g, no surface damage, and a round overall shape as seeds for the next planting.
The above is a detailed introduction to the latest market prices and cultivation methods of water chestnut. I hope it is helpful to everyone.