How to plant mustard seeds? A detailed guide to the latest growing methods

Mustard is usually propagated by sowing. Artificial cultivation includes two types: open-field cultivation and protected cultivation. Open-field cultivation can be carried out in both spring and autumn in the Yangtze River and Huang-Huai regions, generally with autumn sowing as the main season. Sowing can be done successively from late July to October, and harvesting ends from mid-September to March of the following year, but the yield is highest when sown in August. Now let us take a look at how to plant mustard seeds!

Seed selection

For mustard tuber seeds, those with an orange-red color and vivid luster are preferred. After the seeds are purchased, they should first be carefully selected. In addition to removing mixed-in impurities, plump seeds should also be selected. Because mustard tuber seeds are small, they are generally selected by washing with water, that is, soaking the seeds in water and stirring constantly, skimming off shriveled grains and debris, while those that sink to the bottom are plump seeds.

Sun-drying and disinfection

After the mustard seeds are selected with water, spread them out immediately in the sun to reduce their internal moisture content, and turn them from time to time so that all the seeds can evenly receive sunlight, promote their internal material transformation, end dormancy, increase the germination rate, and produce more uniform seedlings. For disinfection, use a fungicide such as a carbendazim solution to soak the seeds for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly, so that the seeds fully contact the solution and all pathogens are killed.

Seed soaking and germination acceleration

When mustard seeds absorb enough water, it helps the internal material transformation of the seeds and softens the seed coat to promote sprouting. Soak them in wet water for 3 to 4 hours; at this time, a foliar fertilizer with comprehensive nutrients can be added for them to absorb, so as to increase nutrition, increase the germination rate, and help produce strong seedlings. For seed germination, in addition to air and moisture, temperature is also needed. Therefore, place the soaked seeds in an environment of 25 to 30°C to ensure early germination and neat, uniform sprouting, and to facilitate management during the seedling stage.

Sowing techniques

For spring cultivation, mustard is planted in late February; for summer cultivation, from early July to late August; and for autumn cultivation, from early September to early October, generally with autumn cultivation as the main season. The sowing rate per mu is 1.5 to 2 kg for spring sowing, 3 to 4 kg for summer sowing, and 2 to 3 kg for autumn sowing. Usually broadcast sowing is used, but try to make it uniform. After sowing, gently tread over the seedbed surface with your feet so that the seeds and soil are in close contact, which helps the seeds absorb water and emerge earlier. For sowing in summer and autumn, the land can be watered 1 to 2 days before soil preparation, and then the soil can be prepared and raised into beds.

Seedling-stage management

The purpose of managing the mustard seedling stage is to ensure that the seedlings emerge in time, emerge neatly and uniformly, have thick stems, dark green leaves, and strong grains. Therefore, the main work is to keep them warm and moist, but not too wet, so as to avoid insufficient air and easy seed rot. Another task is to pay attention to preventing aphids to reduce infection by pathogens. From emergence to 2 to 3 true leaves, 1 to 2 applications of foliar fertilizer should be sprayed to promote strong seedlings. At this time, the seedlings grow faster, and thinning should be carried out in time, keeping a spacing of 4 to 5 cm to prevent the leaves from shading each other and forming spindly seedlings. Until the seedlings are 14 to 16 cm tall and have 5 to 6 true leaves, they can be planted out.