Black Locust Seed Selection Methods and Seedling Cultivation Techniques
Black locust, also known as false acacia, is a deciduous tree of the Fabaceae family and the genus Robinia. It has a wide range of suitable growing conditions and is an excellent multifunctional tree species for soil improvement, soil and water conservation, shelterbelts, and "four-side" greening. Black locust is native to the United States and was introduced to Qingdao from Europe for cultivation at the end of the 18th century. It is now widely planted throughout China. So, in the process of cultivating black locust, how should black locust seeds be selected? And what seedling cultivation methods are there? Let's find out together.
How are black locust seeds selected?
When selecting black locust seeds, pay attention to the seed purity, germination rate, and moisture content. Generally, the requirements are purity (high): ≥90%, germination rate: ≥60%, moisture (low): ≤10%. It is best to choose black locust seed varieties that have passed certification and are suitable for planting in the local area. Before purchasing, also check whether the dealer has all three required certificates. Finally, just select seeds that are glossy, free of off-odors, and plump.
What seedling cultivation methods are there?
1. Site selection and land preparation
Black locust prefers deep, fertile, loose, and moist loam or sandy loam, and can also grow normally in neutral soil, acidic soil, and saline-alkaline soil with a salt content below 0.3%. Land preparation requires careful tillage. Prepare the land and apply fertilizer in autumn, harrow and rake in spring to preserve soil moisture, and sow after irrigation in early May.
2. Seed treatment and sowing
When black locust pods change from green to reddish-brown and the pod skin becomes hard and dry, they are mature. Seeds should be collected at the right time, sun-dried, and freed of pod skins, empty grains, and impurities to obtain pure seeds. Black locust seeds have a thick, hard seed coat, so germination must be promoted before sowing. Once the seeds begin to sprout after 4~5d, they can be sown. Sowing is most suitable around the "Grain Rain" solar term. Both strip sowing in raised beds and field-style sowing are acceptable. Field-style seedling cultivation is generally used: first level the seedling land with a rake, then open furrows for strip sowing.
3. Seedling cultivation
Choose a nursery site that is sheltered from the wind, faces the sun, is level, and has good drainage as a hotbed. Then select fine one-year-old seedling roots with a stem thickness of 0.2-0.5 cm, cut them into 3-5 cm long root segments, and place them in moist sand for storage until use. In early March, arrange the root segments evenly in the dug hotbed bed, spray enough water after planting, cover with 1 cm of fine soil, then immediately build an arched shed and cover it well with plastic film, seal it on all sides, and dig drainage ditches. Keep the bed surface temperature at 20-25°C to promote sprouting. Sprouting begins in about 15-20 days, and seedlings emerge completely in about 30 days.
4. Transplanting
The seedling cultivation land should have a level surface. Before transplanting, apply 1000 kg of organic fertilizer per mu, along with 50 kg each of ammonium bicarbonate and superphosphate. After comprehensive mechanical plowing and leveling, make small high ridges running north-south, with a ridge width of 60 cm, a furrow width of 30 cm and depth of 25 cm, and a ridge length of about 25 m. Transplant when the seedlings are 5-10 cm tall.
5. Seedling stage management
In black locust seedling cultivation, grasping the characteristics of seedlings being drought-tolerant, light-loving, and intolerant of waterlogging is the key to ensuring seedling survival.
Overall, black locust grows rapidly and has strong sprouting ability and root-suckering ability. By focusing on mastering the management techniques during the seedling stage, it can grow well. Black locust also has very broad economic value, and if grown well, it will undoubtedly increase growers' own returns.
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