How to select seeds and cultivate seedlings for alfalfa?

Alfalfa is the superior forage grass with the longest cultivation history and the widest cultivation area in the world, and enjoys the reputation of "king of forage grasses." In China, alfalfa has been cultivated and developed for more than two thousand years, and is currently mainly distributed in the Northwest, North China, Northeast, and the Jianghuai River basin. So how should alfalfa seeds be selected? How should they be cultivated and raised into seedlings? Let's take a look together.

How should alfalfa seeds be selected?

Alfalfa seeds are small and grow slowly at the seedling stage, so selecting good-quality seed is the key to growing alfalfa well. In addition, alfalfa is a perennial plant, and if the variety is chosen incorrectly, it will suffer damage for several years. At present, the domestic varieties that perform relatively well include Baoding alfalfa, Gannong No. 1 variegated alfalfa, Xinjiang large-leaf alfalfa, Aohan alfalfa, and Zhongmu No. 1 salt-tolerant alfalfa. Among the better introduced foreign varieties are the American Queen, WL323, WL320, Ansta, Barenbrug, and Japan's Tachiwakaba and Kitawakaba alfalfa. Growers should comprehensively select high-quality varieties based on variety characteristics as well as the planting conditions and environment of the production area.

How to cultivate and raise seedlings?

1. Land selection

Choose first- and second-class land with relatively good soil fertility and complete water conservancy facilities for planting. At the same time, in order to facilitate mechanized transportation and operation management, try to choose plots with convenient transportation, large contiguous areas, and irrigation and drainage measures.

2. Land preparation

The best time for land preparation is summer, with one deep plowing and one deep harrowing to turn weeds into the deeper layers. If there are many weeds before autumn sowing, another deep plowing or rotary tillage is needed, followed by leveling with a harrow to meet sowing requirements. In addition, before sowing, combine land preparation with a one-time application of 2-3 sq m/mu of organic fertilizer and 8-16 kg/mu of pure phosphorus. Because alfalfa removes a large amount of potassium through its stems and leaves during growth, places with conditions may appropriately apply some potassium fertilizer to maintain high yields.

3. Sowing

Before sowing, the seeds are best treated by pelleting. Follow the formula of 500 kg seeds + 150 kg coating material + 1.5 kg adhesive + 75 kg water + 1.5 kg ammonium molybdate, so that the seeds are not harmed by pests, diseases, weeds, and so on during the seedling stage and can grow vigorously. In most areas, drilling is the main method, with a row spacing of 30 cm, which is good for ventilation, light penetration, and field management. The sowing rate is generally about 1 kg/mu; seed-production fields should use less, and saline-alkali land may appropriately use more. If the sowing rate is too high, the seedlings will be thin and weak.

4. Seedling raising

Applying 2000-3000 kg of fertilizer per mu plus about 100 jin of bacterial fertilizer can increase yield. The sowing period is generally from late September to early October, with 30-40 kg sown per mu. After sowing, cover with 2-3 layers of shade net or one layer of straw curtain to provide moisture retention and help emergence.

5. Strengthen management

During the seedling stage, growth is relatively weak, and alfalfa fields are prone to serious weed damage, so timely removal of weeds is very important. Achieve a field free of weeds and ensure the quality and requirements of purchasing and export (weed content below 5%). In addition, after emergence, check the emergence situation promptly, and reseed in places where missing seedlings or broken rows are found. Finally, focus on preventing pests and diseases such as aphids, thrips, brown spot disease, and downy mildew.

Alfalfa is rich in nutrients and highly valuable for use. Feeding livestock alfalfa requires only a small amount of concentrate or even no concentrate, which can save a large amount of grain and has obvious economic benefits. In the planting process, growers must do a good job in seed selection, seedling raising, and cultivation management, because this is the first step to success.

For wonderful pictures and text and popular comments about alfalfa seed selection and seedling raising, you may be interested in the following recommended content from Nongxun Network. Welcome to read.

You may be interested in the following agricultural products: nationwide supply of high-quality alfalfa seeds