Detailed Explanation of Lotus Root Seed Selection and Seed Retention Techniques
(1) Selection and breeding. Lotus root selection and breeding mainly includes methods such as asexual selection and sexual crossbreeding. 1. Asexual selection. China has abundant lotus root germplasm resources, which provides excellent conditions for asexual selection. In recent years, varieties bred from superior plants of asexual lines include Kexuan No. 1, Elian No. 1, Zhehu...
(1) Selection and breeding.
Lotus root selection and breeding mainly includes methods such as asexual selection and sexual crossbreeding.
1. Asexual selection.
China has abundant lotus root germplasm resources, which provides excellent conditions for asexual selection. In recent years, varieties bred from superior plants of asexual lines include Kexuan No. 1, Elian No. 1, Zhehu No. 1, Wuzhi No. 2, Ganlian 85-4, Ganlian 85-5, and others. The method of asexual selection is to widely mobilize the people in lotus root production areas to promptly report individual plants with high yield, good quality, strong adaptability, strong disease resistance, extra early maturity or extra late maturity to relevant scientific research departments or agricultural authorities, and carry out asexual propagation and promotion.
2. Sexual crossbreeding.
Sexual crossbreeding is one of the effective methods for breeding new lotus root varieties and has been widely applied in lotus root breeding. Sexual crossbreeding can make full use of the excellent traits of both parents and purposefully breed new varieties with high yield, high quality, strong disease resistance, extra early maturity or extra late maturity. In recent years, new varieties bred through sexual crossbreeding include Elian No. 3, Yangou No. 1, Elian No. 4, Xiangbailian No. 1, and others.
(2) Seed retention.
To obtain high-yield, high-quality lotus roots or lotus seeds, seed retention of lotus root is very important. When retaining seeds from lotus roots, the seed lotus roots must overwinter in the lotus field. During the overwintering period, the field must maintain a layer of shallow water and must not be allowed to dry out or freeze and crack. Where shallow water cannot be maintained regularly, rice straw should be used for covering to protect against cold. Before planting lotus roots the following year, dig out the seed lotus roots and plant them as they are dug. Each mu of seed retention field can provide planting material for 5 to 6 mu. When retaining seeds in continuously cropped lotus fields, during harvesting, use the method of harvesting eight and leaving two for seed retention, that is, for every 2 m width harvested, leave 0.5 m width unharvested as seed lotus roots for the following year. In subsequent years, rotate the harvesting and seed retention positions.
The planting of the seed retention field is similar to field production, except that planting and harvesting are later. After the field is harvested, field management in the seed retention field should still be strengthened, especially water management and pest and disease control. The seed retention field must not run out of water in winter and should maintain 3 to 5 cm of shallow water to prevent the soil from drying out and causing the seed lotus roots to freeze. Seed lotus roots should generally be harvested at the time of field planting, dug and planted immediately, with care taken to keep the lotus root body intact and not damage or break the bud tips.
After the seed lotus roots are harvested, they should be selected once more before planting. According to the characteristics of the variety, select those with a well-formed, plump, and intact root body, with daughter lotus roots at the tip, and free of pests, diseases, and injuries as seed.
In addition, during the growing period, roguing and removal of inferior plants should be carried out in the field, and flower stalks should be twisted off promptly and small flower buds crushed so that nutrients are concentrated for root formation.
In order to explore good seed propagation techniques for lotus root, the Wuhan Vegetable Research Institute once compared several propagation methods including lotus seed propagation, whole lotus root propagation, main lotus root propagation, daughter lotus root propagation, lotus node propagation, and terminal bud propagation. Based on observation and analysis of yield, quality, growth and development dynamics, and other aspects, it was considered that the propagation technique of using daughter lotus roots as seed should be promoted. Improving the traditional method of using main lotus roots as seed, it is a simple and easy-to-implement propagation method. Using terminal buds as seed is a promising propagation method, but it must be matched with seedling raising techniques. Seed propagation is not suitable for promotion and application in production, but it is a necessary means in breeding.