A Detailed Guide to Foxtail Grass Seed Prices and Planting Methods
Foxtail grass is a relatively common weed in dryland and is distributed throughout all regions of our country. Though foxtail grass may seem unremarkable, its stalks and leaves can be used as feed and it also has certain medicinal value. The whole foxtail grass plant, after being boiled in water, can be used to kill cabbage worms. Below, let us take a look at foxtail grass seed prices and planting methods.
I. Foxtail Grass Seed Prices
The market price of foxtail grass seeds has always been very stable, with the price per jin of seeds at around 75 yuan to 90 yuan. This price is still very low and falls within a range that everyone can accept. The price is affected by increases or decreases in the current year's foxtail grass seed production. It also depends on the purchase quantity, with wholesale being cheaper than retail. Prices tend to be higher during the peak planting season. Foxtail grass seeds from different batches, with different specifications and from different places of origin also have different prices.
II. Foxtail Grass Planting Methods
1. Seed selection
Select foxtail grass seeds of superior quality that are plump and full.
2. Sowing time
The best time to sow foxtail grass seeds is from February to May and from September to October each year. Seeds sown during these two periods have the highest germination rate and grow best.
3. Land preparation and fertilisation
Before sowing foxtail grass, land preparation and fertilisation are required. First remove weeds with herbicide or by hand, then prepare the land finely. Apply 1000-1500 kg of organic fertiliser and 15-20 kg of phosphate fertiliser per mu as base fertiliser.
4. Sowing and raising seedlings
Foxtail grass is propagated by seed. Sow in mid-to-late June by drilling or broadcasting. For drilling, the row spacing is 30-35 cm and the depth is 1-2 cm, with a sowing rate of 1 jin per mu. After sowing, cover the seeds and press them into the soil.
5. Cultivation and weeding
Foxtail grass seedlings grow slowly and are relatively fragile, while weeds in spring-sown grassland grow vigorously, so cultivation and weeding should be carried out 1-2 times in a timely manner during the early stage.
6. Cutting and topdressing
Applying an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertiliser after each use or cutting of foxtail grass will noticeably promote its regrowth and improve forage quality. Topdressing 5-7 days after cutting is the safest.
7. Pest and disease control
Foxtail grass has strong resistance to pests and diseases, and pests and diseases rarely occur. However, insect pests such as locusts and crickets may still occur, so attention should be paid to their control.
III. The Harmful Effects of Foxtail Grass
Competing with crops for water, nutrients and light energy: weeds have well-developed root systems and a strong ability to absorb soil water and nutrients, and they also have a strong growth advantage. Their consumption of water and fertiliser often exceeds that consumed by crop growth. Weeds have a strong growth advantage, and their plant height often exceeds that of crops, affecting the crops' use of light energy and photosynthesis, and interfering with and limiting crop growth.
Weeds are intermediate hosts of crop diseases and insect pests: many weeds are annual or perennial plants, and pathogens and pests parasitise or overwinter on the weeds or their roots all year round, then migrate to crops in the following spring to cause damage.
Reducing crop yield and quality: due to the direct and indirect (disease and pest transmission) harm caused by weeds, crop yield and quality are noticeably affected.
Affecting human and livestock health: for example, darnel and its seeds in wheat fields contain temuline, and when mixed into wheat grains they can cause poisoning in humans and livestock; cocklebur seeds also contain toxic substances, and ingesting a large amount by mistake can cause poisoning in humans and livestock.
Increasing management labour and production costs: farmland with more weeds requires more labour for weeding, and this large amount of labour also increases production costs.
Foxtail grass, commonly known as maomaogou, is one of the dominant weed species in orchards, with strong reproductive capacity and serious harmful effects.