Detailed Explanation of the Key Points of Coix Seed Field Management Techniques
Coix seed is the kernel of Coix lacryma-jobi, a plant in the grass family. Coix seed has very high nutritional value and is a relatively popular grain crop. Although its taste is similar to that of rice, coix seed is easier to digest, and coix seed also contains an anti-cancer agent that can be used to treat stomach cancer and cervical cancer, among others. The area planted with coix seed is also becoming wider and wider, so how should field management be carried out after planting? Below, the editor brings you the coix seed field management techniques. Let's take a look together!
1. Intertillage and Weeding
After planting coix seed, the growth of the coix seed and the number of weeds should be observed regularly, and the work of intertillage and weeding should be done well. During the entire growth period of coix seed, the number of intertillage and weeding sessions must not be fewer than two. When the seedlings grow to about 8 cm, the first intertillage should begin to promote seedling tillering. The first time should mainly be shallow hoeing to prevent damaging the roots of the coix seed plants and affecting nutrient absorption. Then, when the seedlings grow to about 18 cm, carry out intertillage and weeding again to improve soil permeability. After that, it can be carried out together with topdressing later.
2. Topdressing and Earthing Up
In coix seed cultivation, the number of topdressings, like intertillage, must not be fewer than two. As just mentioned, it can be carried out together with intertillage and weeding. When topdressing, pay attention to the nutrient ratio and amount of fertilizer. The first time should mainly use farmyard manure, generally at about 1000 kg/mu. The main purpose is to promote seedling tillering and enhance growth capacity. Then the second time can be a little later, carried out when the plants grow to about 36 cm. The fertilizer should also mainly be farmyard manure, and the amount can be appropriately increased by 200-400 kg. After fertilizing, earth up appropriately, and the height of the earthing up must not be less than 30 cm, to improve the root capacity of the plants and prevent lodging.
3. Water Management
Water management is the key to ensuring the normal growth of coix seed and is also the main measure for high and stable yields of coix seed. The coix seed plant is similar to crops such as sorghum, and everyone mistakenly believes that coix seed is a dryland crop, but in fact coix seed is a marsh crop. In the early stage of coix seed growth, the soil should be kept moist to promote uniform and strong seedlings. After tillering, drainage should be carried out in time to inhibit the growth of ineffective tillers. The heading stage is a critical period for coix seed growth. If water is insufficient, the number of empty grains will increase, and yield will also be greatly affected. About 9 days before harvest, watering should be stopped to facilitate harvesting.
4. Leaf Removal and Pollination
After coix seed passes the jointing stage, promptly remove the leaves and tillers below the first branch. Improve plant permeability, facilitate ventilation and heat dissipation, promote coix seed growth, promote thick and strong stems, and improve the plant's lodging resistance. The most commonly used pollination method for coix seed is transmission by wind, but when there is little wind, the pollination rate will decrease significantly. Therefore, we need to do a good job in artificial pollination. During the flowering period of coix seed, tools such as ropes can be used to vibrate the plants to promote the scattering of pollen and improve the pollination and fruiting rate.
The above is a brief introduction to coix seed field management techniques. Everyone must do a good job in water management. A large part of the reason why many friends do not achieve high yields in coix seed cultivation is that they use the methods for cultivating dryland crops to grow coix seed, resulting in insufficient water for coix seed and very serious effects on growth and development. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for reading and supporting.