Cultivation Methods for Milk Vetch (Astragalus sinicus) and Seed Germination Temperature
The flowers of milk vetch are very beautiful, purple-red and very lovely. Sometimes you can see them by the roadside, and they are very endearing. What are the cultivation methods for milk vetch? What is the suitable temperature for seed germination?
Cultivation methods for milk vetch:
1. Sow at the right time
Milk vetch prefers a cool climate and can be sown in late autumn. Before sowing, prepare the potting soil to prevent waterlogging. Water once if the soil is dry. The seeds should be sun-dried (half a day is enough), rubbed (just until the seed coat is worn smooth), and soaked (soak in clean water for one day, which makes germination easy).
2. Fertilize appropriately
Ordinary compound fertilizer is sufficient. Around the "Winter Solstice," apply a little potassium fertilizer to improve the seedlings' cold resistance. After the "Start of Spring," apply a small amount of fertilizer. Once the weather warms up, the branches and leaves will grow vigorously. Keep the soil moist during the growing period and just prevent waterlogging.
Pest and disease protection:
The main disease is powdery mildew, which can be prevented by spraying with 0.05% Tuzet (or carbendazim);
Pests include aphids and thrips, which can be controlled with dimethoate; armyworms can simply be pinched to death.
Introduction to milk vetch:
Milk vetch has other names: qiaoyao and honghuacao. In some places you can see large patches of it, covered in crimson flowers.
Milk vetch prefers a warm, slightly moist environment. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil. During the seedling stage, it has strong shade tolerance. People often grow this small flower for one season and then plant crops.
Milk vetch is not very cold-tolerant and has a distinct overwintering period. During the seedling stage, growth slows below 8°C. After spring begins, when the average daily temperature reaches above 6°C–8°C, the growth rate increases noticeably.
The optimal temperature for flowering and pod formation is 13°C–20°C. Milk vetch grows well in moist, well-drained soil. It fears both drought and waterlogging. The most suitable soil is slightly moist, which is best. The soil should mainly be a lighter-textured loam.
During the seedling stage, the height of milk vetch increases slowly. After spring begins, the growth rate gradually accelerates as the temperature rises, and increases rapidly after the bud stage. Growth is fastest from the beginning of flowering to full bloom. The increase in plant height from the bud stage to full bloom accounts for about two-thirds of the total increase by the final flowering stage.
The flowering period of milk vetch is generally 30–40 days. The flowers on the main stem and the first pair of large basal branches open first, and then the others open in the order in which the branches appear. On both the main stem and branches, the flower clusters open one by one from bottom to top. The natural hybridization rate of milk vetch is very high, generally above 60%. From flowering to the pods turning black generally takes about 20–30 days.
Seed germination temperature for milk vetch:
The suitable temperature for milk vetch seed germination is 15°C–25°C. During germination, the seeds need to absorb a relatively large amount of water and a large amount of oxygen.
That is all for the introduction to milk vetch. If you like it, hurry and plant a few in your own yard.
Introduction to Milk Vetch Cultivation Methods for Milk Vetch
Milk vetch is distributed in the Yangtze River region of China, growing at altitudes of 400 m to 3,000 m, mostly by streams, on hillsides and in moist places. At present, the planting of milk vetch is being vigorously promoted in many regions across the country. Now let us take a look at some relevant knowledge about milk vetch.
I. Introduction to milk vetch
Milk vetch, also known as qiaoyao, honghuacao and caozi, is native to China. Milk vetch prefers warm and humid conditions and has a certain degree of cold tolerance. It requires sufficient water throughout its entire growth period. Milk vetch is not strict about soil requirements, and sandy and clay loams are relatively suitable. It has poor salt tolerance and belongs to the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus. Milk vetch is a biennial herbaceous plant. Its main root is relatively thick and fleshy, and its lateral roots penetrate the soil relatively shallowly. The stem is cylindrical, hollow, tender and juicy, with sparse fine hairs. The leaves are mostly odd-pinnately compound. The flowers are umbels, generally axillary and rarely terminal. The pods are in two rows, joined into a triangle. The seeds are kidney-shaped with a smooth seed coat. The roots, whole plant and seeds can be used as medicine, and have the effects of dispelling wind and improving eyesight, strengthening the spleen and tonifying qi, and detoxifying and relieving pain. Milk vetch is a plant in the Fabaceae family, genus Astragalus, mainly used for fertilizing farmland and for ornamental flowers. It is currently distributed in central and western Asia, and is mostly planted as green manure for rice fields. As early as the Ming and Qing dynasties, China had already planted it on a large scale in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is widely distributed in areas between 24 and 35 degrees north latitude and is one of China's main nectar plants.
II. Cultivation methods for milk vetch
Care points
1. Sow at the right time
Milk vetch prefers a cool climate. It can be sown about 25 days before harvest, at the full heading stage of the late rice crop, with a sowing rate of 1.5 kg per mu. Before sowing, the rice field should be well drained to prevent waterlogging. Dry fields should be irrigated once with a flash watering. The seeds should be treated by sun-drying, rubbing (milling), and soaking. Sun-drying can promote enzyme activity within the seeds and increase the germination rate; generally half a day is enough. Rubbing (milling) can remove the waxy layer on the seed surface, making it easier for the seeds to absorb water. Coarse sand can be mixed with the seeds, and the seeds and sand rubbed against each other by grasping with the hand, or a rice mill can be used to lightly mill until the seed coat is smooth. Soaking can accelerate the softening of the seed coat and promote seed germination, making seedlings emerge quickly and uniformly. Soak in water for 12–24 hours, then remove and air-dry before germination. Note that dry fields should not soak seeds, to prevent the sprouts from drying out due to lack of water after sowing.
2. Mix with rhizobia
When the seeds show white after germination, mix with rhizobia. Use cold thin rice porridge to mix the inoculant and then mix with the seeds. 0.5 kg of milk vetch rhizobia inoculant can be mixed with 7.5 kg of milk vetch seeds, enough for sowing 5 mu.
3. Fertilize at the right time
Mainly apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer. After the late rice harvest, apply 10–15 kg of superphosphate and 1,000 kg of manure water per mu to promote early nodulation and early seedling growth. Around the "Winter Solstice," apply 3–4 kg of potassium fertilizer or 50 kg of plant ash per mu to improve the seedlings' cold resistance. After the "Start of Spring," apply 3–5 kg of urea per mu to accelerate vigorous growth of branches and leaves after the weather warms up and increase the yield of fresh seedlings.
4. Strengthen field management
After the late rice harvest, promptly dig the surrounding field ditches, compartment ditches and cross-shaped drainage ditches. Keep the field moist in the early stage and prevent waterlogging (especially in the later stage). The main disease is powdery mildew, which can be prevented by spraying with 0.05% Tuzet (or carbendazim). Pests include aphids and thrips, which can be controlled with dimethoate. For armyworms, use 100 g of 90% trichlorfon plus 150 mL of rice vinegar and 5 g of saccharin in 75 kg of water per mu. In seed-production fields, pay attention to preventing thrips damage during full bloom to increase the pod-setting rate. At the same time, avoid damage by livestock.
5. Turn under at the right time
Generally, turn under at full bloom, 15–20 days before transplanting the early rice crop. When turning under, apply 25–40 kg of lime per mu to promote the decomposition and rotting of milk vetch, and at the same time it can neutralize acidity.
How to sow milk vetch seeds, milk vetch propagation methods / do a good job of heat preservation and moisture retention
In the cultivation methods for milk vetch, propagation is a very important part, because it relates to whether milk vetch can grow robustly afterward. Milk vetch belongs to the genus Astragalus, and its propagation method differs slightly from some plants. So how is milk vetch propagated? How are milk vetch seeds sown? Here I will share the propagation methods for milk vetch with everyone.
How is milk vetch propagated?
Because milk vetch is a common ecological feed, and in addition it is a biennial herbaceous plant, it is usually used for large-scale propagation in farmland. Therefore, the main propagation method is sowing. Although it is simply said to be scattering seeds on a sand bed, the sowing time, sun-drying of seeds, seed selection, later care and so on are all very important. Below we will introduce some of its sowing methods in detail.
How are milk vetch seeds sown?
I. Sowing time
It is generally sown from late September to early October. The reason is that sowing too early will lead to weak seedlings, while too late will mean winter is approaching and the seedlings are easily frostbitten. Therefore, September to October is the most ideal period.
II. Sowing methods
1. Seed selection and sun-drying
Among the propagation methods for milk vetch, sowing is the most commonly used, but technique is also key. The selected seeds should be relatively plump, so that the seedlings will be more robust. After selection, the seeds need to be dried in the sun. The method is to spread them out under the sun for 4–5 hours, which can promote enzyme activity in the seeds.
2. Soak the seeds and air-dry
After sun-drying, fine sand can be added to the seeds. It can rub off the waxy substance on the seed surface, thereby increasing the germination rate of the seeds after sowing. Then soak the seeds in clean water or a 0.1–0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution for about 10 hours. Take them out, air-dry, and mix evenly with calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer before use.
3. Sow evenly
Scatter the seeds evenly on the sand bed, generally using 1.5–2 kg of seed per mu. After scattering, keep the soil moist, then cover with rice straw for heat preservation and moisture retention. This can promote rapid rooting and germination of the seeds.
Precautions for milk vetch propagation
1. Temperature control
The best temperature for milk vetch seed germination is 15–25 degrees, and the germination stage requires a large amount of water and oxygen, so during sowing it is essential to do a good job of heat preservation and moisture retention, prevent the soil from becoming too dry, and ensure good soil aeration.
2. Do not allow waterlogging
Although the soil must be kept moist during germination, waterlogging must not occur. Otherwise, if the seedlings are severely soaked when emerging, it will cause bud rot and missing seedlings. Therefore, in addition to controlling watering, try to avoid rainy days in terms of timing as well. If there is a lot of rain, be sure to pay attention to drainage.