How to Grow Black Rice? A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Techniques of the "King of Rice"
Black rice is a distinctive variety developed from rice through long-term cultivation. It is rich in nutrients and also has extremely high medicinal value. In daily life it is often used to make congee, produce nutritional foods and brew wine, and it enjoys the reputation of the “black pearl” in the world. Below is the “king of rice” black rice cultivation techniques detailed guide!
1. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Black rice differs from other rice varieties. It is a temperature-sensitive variety, and its sowing has relatively strict climate requirements. Generally, the sowing time is in mid-March, so that its growth period can be extended and it can timely head and flower before high temperatures arrive. Otherwise, if high temperatures arrive before it has headed, the yield and quality may be affected. Before sowing, sun the seeds and soak them in warm water to increase the germination rate, so that seedlings emerge evenly and grow and develop well. Choose a sandy loam field that is sheltered from the wind, faces the sun and has convenient drainage and irrigation for sowing. Sow relatively thinly at sowing time, which helps cultivate strong seedlings. Generally, sow 4-4.5 kg per mu of seedling field and 1.5 kg for the main field.
2. Reasonable Transplanting
When the seedlings grow to 15 cm, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, use an east-west direction, wide rows and narrow plant spacing, and transplant large seedlings with soil. Also pay attention to transplanting density. The number of transplanted seedlings per mu should not exceed 300,000 plants, so that they no longer tiller. The plant-row spacing is 10 cm×22 cm. This can increase ventilation and light penetration between plants, and also make reasonable use of the field soil resources, which is conducive to robust plant growth and improves yield and quality.
3. Apply More Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer
Black rice requires different fertility at each growth stage. To increase its yield, timely application of more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is an important measure. Phosphorus fertilizer is mainly applied as a base fertilizer. Potassium fertilizer application can be combined mainly with the first cultivation and weeding. Later, selective topdressing can be carried out according to the plant's growth condition. During the booting stage, a small amount should be supplemented; it is not suitable to apply too much at one time. After the heading stage, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be topdressed by leaf spraying. Mix phosphorus and potassium fertilizer with water to make a low-concentration dissolved solution and spray it on the leaves; the effect is excellent. In addition, pay attention to the application of calcium substances. If black rice absorbs excessive calcium substances, its grains will become rough and the taste will be affected, so apply little or no lime.
4. Use as Little or No Pesticide as Possible
Nowadays, pest and disease control in rice cultivation is mainly through pesticides, but pesticides leave residues in the rice. When these residues are small, the harm to the human body is relatively little, but continuous accumulation will still affect human health and also reduce the quality of black rice. Therefore, when growing black rice, use agricultural control measures as the main control measures as much as possible, whether for pests and diseases or other problems, to achieve the goal of eliminating pests and diseases and solving problems without pesticide residues. In addition, black rice should be harvested in time. Once harvesting is late, it will affect the quality of black rice and affect the taste.
The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to black rice cultivation techniques. Black rice is produced in many places in our country, with representative ones including Shaanxi black rice, Guizhou black glutinous rice, Hunan black rice, etc.