A Detailed Explanation of Barley Planting Methods and Key Technical Points

Barley, also known as moumai, is a grain crop whose nutritional value is similar to that of wheat, though its fiber content is slightly higher. Barley now holds a status in China similar to that of wheat; it is a crop with relatively high economic value and is grown on a fairly large area in China. So how should barley be planted? Below, the editor brings you the barley planting methods. Let's take a look!

1. Seed selection and seed dressing

Barley is not very strict about soil requirements; the soil only needs to have few pests and diseases, sufficient fertility, and be suitable for barley growth. What matters is seed selection: we should choose varieties with strong growth capacity, high yield, and strong disease resistance. Then use new high-fat film for seed dressing to enhance seed vigor and promote germination and emergence. After dressing, air-dry the seeds and then sow them at the right time; barley sowing time is not subject to that many restrictions. However, to grow high-yield barley, it is usually planted in early autumn, using the drill method. The main planting time should still be determined according to the growing region, and sowing should not be done blindly.

2. Seedling stage management

Barley has an early growth process, a large number of tillers, and a fast growth rate. Its young ear differentiation time is also much earlier than that of wheat. During the seedling stage, the root system is relatively well developed and nutrient absorption capacity is strong. Therefore, management should be carried out in advance. Barley has strong tolerance to poor soil, and its stems are relatively soft; applying too much fertilizer can easily cause lodging after barley emergence. So during the seedling stage, topdressing must be well controlled to avoid excessive topdressing, which would instead hinder seedling growth. After sowing, insulation work must also be done well; if the temperature is too low, barley will show yellow leaves and other symptoms, which is unfavorable for flowering and pollination.

3. Water and fertilizer management

First, when we prepare the land before sowing, basal fertilizer should be applied together with it. The basal fertilizer is mainly farm machinery manure, with a dosage of about 3000kg/mu. Then, when transplanting, sufficient seed fertilizer should be applied; the seed fertilizer is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented by phosphate and potassium fertilizers. Later, topdress according to barley growth at the right time, and the number of topdressings must not be less than two. The first is tillering fertilizer during the seedling stage, and then booting fertilizer during the jointing stage. The specific dosage depends on barley growth and soil fertility. Barley likes moisture but fears waterlogging, so watering must be done well during the barley growing period: water promptly during drought, and also drain well when water accumulates.

4. Timely harvest

Barley harvest is generally about four days after the late dough stage. During this period, moisture content generally drops to about 25%. The grains are relatively hard, the kernels are not easily damaged during threshing, and the germination rate improves noticeably. The stems also have strong toughness, and the ears are not prone to shedding when cutting barley. This is when grain quality is relatively good and yield is high; both seed grain and milling grain are at their best period, which can maximize planting benefits.

The above is a brief introduction to barley planting methods. Barley planting is relatively widespread in China, and it is also a common food grain with large market demand, but there are also certain planting risks, so we hope everyone will consider carefully before planting. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Friends who want to learn more related information, please continue to follow us!