A detailed guide to artificial seedling-raising techniques for black goji berry, master all the methods and steps

I. Seedling-raising techniques

1. Seed collection, seed and fruit processing, and seed storage. The seed collection period for black goji berry (Lycium ruthenicum) is July to November. When the fruit turns from green to purple-black, it should be picked promptly, registered immediately, and transported to the designated location. After seed collection, the seeds are extracted by wrapping them in gauze and washing with water, then filtered and rinsed through a fine sieve. For drying, use shade drying or sun-drying in the morning and evening sun; exposure to strong sun is taboo. For seed cleaning, manual cleaning is used. After seed processing, store in fiber bags in a dry, ventilated place.

2. Determination of seed quality. In addition to investigating whether the seed source is superior, seed quality also requires testing seed purity, 1000-grain weight, germination rate, viability, soundness, moisture content and weight, etc. The most important thing is to test and determine the germination rate of the seeds. The method uses the laboratory sample germination method for determination. Seed soundness is judged based on the seed's appearance and internal anatomical condition to determine the degree of seed quality.

3. Propagation

4. Site selection and land preparation. Choose land that is flat, convenient for irrigation, with fertile soil, a pH value below 8, and a salt-alkali content not exceeding 0.3%. Apply 2000-3000 kg of barnyard manure per 667 sq m, deep plow 20-30 cm in autumn, and water with winter water. The following spring, shallow plow and harrow finely, and make beds 1.2 m wide.

5. Propagation method: mainly seed propagation. Before sowing, soak the stored seeds in 40°C warm water for 24 h to increase the germination rate; the germination rate is generally about 90%. The sowing period is from late March to mid-April. For drilling, open furrows with a row spacing of 30 cm and a furrow depth of 0.5-1 cm. Mix the seeds with some fine sand evenly, sow evenly into the furrows, cover lightly with fine sand, lightly press down, then water, and keep the soil moist. Irrigate lightly with a small amount of water once every 1-2 d. At a temperature of 17-21, seedlings emerge in 5-7 d. The sowing rate is 1-1.5 kg per 667 sq m, producing 40,000 seedlings per 667 sq m. If there is no watering condition or the water source is insufficient, after sowing cover lightly with fine sand and soil, then cover with plastic film, and then cover the film entirely with soil 1.5-2 cm deep, preferably so that sunlight cannot penetrate. Observe every day, and when the seed sprouts break through the soil surface, choose cloudy and rainy weather to remove all the film. In this way, soil moisture can be effectively preserved, avoiding water evaporation and soil drying caused by the film raising the temperature. This resolves the contradiction between deep sowing causing sprout burying and shallow sowing causing sprout burning. This method, summarized in actual seedling production, is very practical for raising seedlings of fine-seeded varieties in places with insufficient water sources such as tablelands.

II. Field management

1. Cultivation and weeding: after the seeds emerge, loosen the soil and weed, 4-6 times within 1 year, combining loosening and weeding with irrigation.

2. Irrigation: irrigate at the appropriate time according to soil moisture conditions, generally 4-6 times within 1 year.

3. Thinning: in June, when the seedlings are 3-5 cm tall, thin out weak seedlings and overly dense seedlings. Around mid-July, final thinning is carried out, leaving a plant spacing of 10-15 cm, keeping the superior and removing the inferior, removing the weak and keeping the strong.

4. Topdressing: combined with irrigation, apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer 1-2 times in mid-to-late June, and apply topdressing once more in mid-to-late July.

5. Pest and disease control: pests and diseases include aphids, goji berry leaf beetle, goji berry powdery mildew, sooty mold, etc. Spray control can be done with 40% omethoate 0.1% solution and carbendazim 0.1% solution and other agents.