What are the amaranth cultivation technical measures? Detailed explanation of the key planting and management points

I. Variety Selection

Different varieties are used according to the habits of the varieties in different seasons and consumer preferences. In winter and early spring, use the red amaranth and huahong varieties with strong cold resistance. In other seasons, use huahong amaranth and all-green amaranth, which have strong resistance to pests and diseases. Generally, from late February to late March, it is advisable to choose early-maturing and relatively cold-tolerant varieties such as pointed-leaf red rice amaranth and pointed-leaf huahong amaranth. From early April to late May, it is advisable to choose varieties such as red amaranth, Dahongpao, white rice amaranth and willow-leaf amaranth. For summer and autumn cultivation from early June to early August, it is advisable to choose relatively heat-tolerant varieties such as white rice amaranth, willow-leaf amaranth and red amaranth.

????II. Cultivation Season

Amaranth can be cultivated from spring to autumn during the frost-free period. Open-field cultivation can be sown from late March to early August; while cultivation under large plastic tunnels and small arched sheds can be sown 20-30 days earlier, that is, sowing begins in late February, and can be marketed about 30 days earlier. Except for early spring cultivation, it can generally be marketed about 35 days after sowing.

????III. Cultivation Techniques

1. Seed soaking and germination

Soak amaranth seeds in cold water for 24 hours. During soaking, rub and wash them several times to facilitate water absorption. In winter and early spring, remove the soaked seeds, rub and wash them clean with clean water, drain off the water, wrap them in gauze with good air permeability, then cover with a wet towel, and place them under 15-20°C for germination. When 30%-50% of the seeds have sprouted white, they can be sown. In other seasons, direct sowing is used for cultivation.

2. Land preparation and sowing

(1) Land preparation It is advisable to choose a plot with few weeds. Amaranth has no strict requirements for soil, but soil that is loose, fertile, and good at retaining fertilizer and water is preferred. Apply 5000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer and 50 kg of 25% compound fertilizer per mu, carry out fine cultivation, and make high beds with a bed width of 1-1.2 m, a ditch width of 0.3 m, and a ditch depth of 0.15-0.2 m.

(2) Sowing The seeds of amaranth are relatively small. Mixing in some fine sand or fine soil during sowing can make sowing more uniform. The seeding rate per mu is 0.25-0.5 kg. Flat beds can be broadcast or drilled. For broadcast sowing, a four-tooth rake can be used to shallowly rake or not rake (in humid seasons with a lot of rain). For drilling, it can be slightly deeper in spring and shallower in summer, with shallow soil covering, then compacted, and then watered, waiting for emergence. In winter and early spring, add a thin layer of rice straw to retain moisture, then cover with a layer of plastic film for insulation, and keep the tunnel well covered and warmed. In summer, add a sunshade net.

3. Field management

(1) Temperature management In winter and early spring, after emergence, remove the plastic film and covering materials. After watering, build a small arched shed inside the large tunnel to facilitate heat preservation. When the outside temperature is relatively low, cover the small shed with a layer of straw curtain in the evening for insulation. In summer, after emergence, promptly add a sunshade net, covering early and uncovering late.

(2) Fertilizer and water management In winter and early spring, keep the soil moist frequently. Water with small amounts but often, and choose to water in the morning on sunny days as much as possible. After the seedlings are fully established, apply a 0.2% urea aqueous solution once, and then topdress once every 7-10 days to promote growth. In summer, appropriately increase the watering amount, generally watering in the morning and evening. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, multiple topdressings are also needed. Generally, the first topdressing is applied when the seedlings have 2 true leaves, the second topdressing after 10-12 days, and after that, topdress once after each harvest. The fertilizer type is mainly nitrogen fertilizer. Each time, 1500-2000 kg of dilute human excrement and urine can be applied per mu, with 5-10 kg of urea added.

(3) Weeding Carry out manual weeding in a timely manner. Emergence occurs about 7-10 days after sowing. Before and after emergence, attention should be paid to weed control. For drilled sowing, inter-row cultivation and weeding can be carried out.

4. Pest and disease control

(1) Agricultural control Select excellent heat-tolerant (cold-tolerant) and disease-resistant varieties, arrange rationally, rotate with other crops or rice within a certain period, clean the field, reduce the number of pest and disease sources, cultivate strong seedlings, improve stress resistance, increase the application of organic fertilizer, balance fertilization, and apply less chemical fertilizer. Spray foliar fertilizer (such as Gaolida) in adverse weather.

(2) Physical control Use yellow sticky boards to trap and kill aphids, and black light lamps to trap and kill moths.

(3) Biological control Use natural enemies to deal with pests, choose pesticides with low lethality to natural enemies, and create an environment conducive to the survival of natural enemies. Use antibiotics (such as agricultural streptomycin) to control diseases such as soft rot.