How much does water bamboo (wild rice stem) seed cost per jin? Detailed planting methods

Water bamboo is a relatively common aquatic vegetable, also known as gaogua, gusun, gaosun, etc. It is a perennial root herbaceous plant of the grass family, genus Zizania, and is divided into two types: double-season water bamboo and single-season water bamboo (or divided into one-crop water bamboo and two-crop water bamboo). Generally, double-season water bamboo (two-crop water bamboo) has higher yield and better quality. Let's take a look at water bamboo seed prices and planting methods below!

How much does water bamboo seed cost per jin?

Water bamboo cannot be propagated by seed; it is usually propagated by division. The price of planting stock is generally around 2-4 yuan per plant, but prices vary greatly depending on the variety, quality, and place of origin of the planting stock. The quality of water bamboo planting stock directly affects the setting rate, yield, and quality of water bamboo. However, due to differences in the timing and amount of smut fungus invasion and the level of cultivation management, variety degeneration is often caused, leading to the appearance of male water bamboo and gray water bamboo, so planting stock should be strictly selected every year.

Growing conditions for water bamboo

1. Soil: Water bamboo does not have high soil requirements, but continuous cropping is not suitable. Clay and clay loam with deep topsoil and rich organic matter are best. Water bamboo plants are tall, have a long growing period, and have high fertilizer requirements, so fertile soil is needed, with more base fertilizer and split topdressing.

2. Moisture: Water bamboo cannot be without water throughout its entire growth period, but water bamboo is also an emergent crop, so the water layer cannot be too deep. The water level should be adjusted according to the different growth stages of water bamboo.

3. Temperature: Water bamboo prefers warmth and is not tolerant of cold or high-temperature drought. It begins to sprout above 5°C. The suitable temperature is 10-20°C, and the suitable temperature during the tillering stage is 20-30°C. The suitable temperature during the tillering stage is 15-25°C.

4. Light: Water bamboo requires sufficient sunlight and air circulation. Because the plants are tall, the field is prone to becoming shaded, so reasonable close planting should be carried out. In the later growth period, yellow and old leaves should be frequently removed to increase ventilation and light penetration, which is beneficial for tillering.

What varieties of water bamboo are there?

1. Zhejiao No. 2: Zhejiao No. 2 is a mid-maturing variety among double-season water bamboo. The water bamboo shape is relatively short and plump, with a smooth, white surface and fine, tender texture, no fibrous matter, and a delicious taste. It has strong field growth vigor, green and upright leaves, strong stress resistance, wide adaptability, high quality, and high yield.

2. Shuizhen No. 1: Shuizhen No. 1 water bamboo is a mid-to-late maturing variety, suitable for spring planting, tolerant of high temperatures. The peak production period for summer water bamboo is from mid-June to mid-July, and the peak period for autumn water bamboo is from mid-September to early October. It has wide adaptability, high yield, and good quality, with a yield of 1786.6-1986.7 kg per mu.

3. Lijiao No. 1: Lijiao No. 1 water bamboo has strong growth vigor, a relatively compact plant type, larger individual water bamboo, a white and smooth appearance, and fine tender flesh. The yield is 1500-2000 kg per mu. It is suitable for planting in high mountain areas above 400 m elevation, and the maturity period is from late July to mid-August.

4. Hard-tail water bamboo: The tender stem of hard-tail water bamboo is spindle-shaped, 17 cm long, 6 cm in transverse diameter, with 3-4 nodes, and a single water bamboo weighs 15-20 g. It is heat-tolerant and fertilizer-tolerant, with white flesh and a high setting position. It has good quality, with a yield of 1250-1500 kg per mu, and is harvested from September to November in Guangzhou.

5. Wuxi Yanjiao: Wuxi Yanjiao has vigorous tillering, is late-maturing, has plump water bamboo shoots, and the best quality. It has high yield, and the surface of the fleshy stem has many wart-like protruding wrinkles. It is white in color, with an autumn water bamboo yield of 750-1000 kg per mu and a summer water bamboo yield of 1250-1500 kg per mu.

Planting methods for water bamboo

1. Planting time: In southern regions, double-season water bamboo is generally planted before the end of November to April, or planted from June to August, but then only autumn water bamboo can be harvested. Planting should be completed by the end of April or in August at the latest. Single-season water bamboo is generally cultivated in spring, forms water bamboo under short-day conditions in autumn, and is harvested in the 8th lunar month.

2. Planting stock selection: The standards for excellent mother plants are: retain seed from clumps that in the current year have neat plant shape, early water bamboo formation, many water bamboo set, plump water bamboo flesh, good water bamboo shape, low setting position, and uniform maturity, with no male water bamboo, no gray water bamboo, no green-inside-shell water bamboo, and no deformed water bamboo.

3. Water bamboo field selection: The early or late formation of water bamboo is related to soil layer, water layer depth, and water temperature control. Generally, paddy fields at higher elevation form water bamboo earlier than those at lower elevation; windward mountain-back fields form water bamboo earlier than sheltered low-lying fields; and fields with shallow soil layers form water bamboo earlier than fields with deep soil layers.

4. Topdressing method: In southern regions, topdressing for double-season water bamboo should be early rather than late, to promote early seedling growth and early water bamboo formation. Combined with water layer management, it promotes effective tillering in the early stage, controls ineffective tillering in the later stage, promotes water bamboo formation, and improves yield and quality.

5. Field cultivating and weeding: Cultivating the water bamboo field can achieve the purposes of intertillage, loosening soil, and weeding, and can increase soil temperature and accelerate fertilizer decomposition. Generally, field cultivating is carried out 2-3 times. The first time is when the plants begin to turn green, and thereafter once every 15 days.

6. Removing mixed plants: When planting water bamboo, attention should be paid to removing mixed plants. Male water bamboo and gray water bamboo cannot set water bamboo and should be removed at any time. The empty spaces left after removal can be filled with seedlings from normal water bamboo clumps with many tillers.

7. Plant trimming: Plant trimming of water bamboo generally begins in the late stage of spring water bamboo harvest. According to the plant growth condition, dead and old leaves should be peeled off and pulled clean, with the requirement of pulling clean without injuring the plants. The pulled-off yellow leaves should be stepped into the field as fertilizer.

8. Thinning and replanting: For double-season water bamboo planted in southern regions, when the stems and tillers per clump reach more than 15, thinning should be carried out, removing excessively dense small tillers, and leaving about 15-20 effective tillers per clump. After thinning, press a piece of mud in the middle of the clump so that the plants are evenly distributed and ventilation and light penetration are improved.