What are the key points to note when growing barley? A detailed explanation of the latest cultivation essentials

Barley is an important food crop, as well as a relatively high-value cash crop and a livestock feed crop. Barley is grown over a wide area and has a long cultivation history, with fairly well-established growing experience in production. So today, instead of talking about how to grow it, I will briefly discuss what details in cultivation need our attention. 

1. Field selection

To make barley grow vigorously with plump grains, the barley field should be chosen with deep, fertile soil that is well aerated and retains fertilizer. For ease of harvesting, the barley field is best located in a flat, broad area with convenient transportation. Before planting, the soil must be deep plowed and loosened, which is done for the growth of the barley root system. This lays a good foundation for robust plant growth.

2. Sowing

Before sowing, seed selection and seed dressing must be done first; it is best to choose short, sturdy varieties with high yield and resistance to lodging. Sowing is decided according to conditions in different regions. It is mainly determined by temperature; it is enough to adapt to local conditions. It is best to plant in November, when temperatures across the regions where barley is generally grown differ little.

3. Field management

Barley seedlings differentiate early and grow quickly, and the seedling root system is well developed, able to absorb large amounts of nutrients. Therefore, management needs to start early. Barley has strong tolerance to poor soil and can adapt and grow even in infertile land; it only needs a little fertilizer and water and guaranteed temperature, without too low a temperature, which would affect flowering, pollination, fertilization and grain setting. It can then grow better.

4. Controlling water and fertilizer

Before planting, the drainage and irrigation system should be repaired, and drainage should be done promptly on heavy rainy days. Apply base fertilizer together with land preparation, at a rate of about 1000 jin per mu, mainly farm machinery manure. Apply nitrogen fertilizer at transplanting; topdressing must be done no fewer than twice. During the growing period, water to prevent drought, but do not irrigate too much, as this easily causes root rot. After planting, apply nitrogen fertilizer once as topdressing. In the later stage, apply topdressing reasonably, about three times. Apply topdressing once at the jointing stage, mainly with quick-acting potassium fertilizer.

5. Timely harvesting

At the dough stage, barley is mature, which is the best time to harvest. If it becomes overmature, it easily shatters and is lost, and it easily sprouts when it encounters rain. Therefore, harvest on time to avoid losses.

When growing barley, pay attention to these small details so that barley can grow well, achieve the goals of abundant yield, high yield and increased yield, create economic value and maximize benefits. Only by doing the above work well can you grow high-quality barley.