Burdock Seed Germination Techniques
For netizens who are concerned, this article explains the contents of burdock propagation, focusing on burdock seed germination techniques. The following is a detailed explanation by the editor.
Burdock, also known as great burdock, thistle or beggar's ticks, is a herbaceous plant of the genus Arctium in the aster family, which can form a fleshy taproot. Its native habitat is in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. It is cultivated in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, and others in China. Both the roots and young leaves are edible. Especially the fleshy taproots have an aroma, are rich in various nutrients, and have medical and health benefits, including the ability to eliminate residual substances in the gastrointestinal tract and reduce cholesterol. Recent studies have shown that regular consumption of burdock can prevent premature aging of the human body and can also prevent the occurrence of hypertension. It seems that burdock has gradually become a type of nutritious and health-promoting vegetable that is popular with people.
1. Plant Characteristics and Properties
Burdock is a biennial herbaceous plant. In the first year, it mainly grows its vegetative organs, forming a strong leafy tuft and root system. The fleshy taproot is the part for consumption, usually 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter and 70 to 100 centimeters long, with a rough, dark surface and grayish-white flesh. Harvesting too late can cause the root to become hollow. The plant is sturdy, and after bolting, it can reach a height of 150 to 180 centimeters. The basal leaves are large, with long petioles and longitudinal grooves, the stem base is slightly red, the leaves are light green, heart-shaped, and the underside is densely covered with white pubescence, with coarse锯齿 along the leaf margin. The above-ground part dries up in winter. The fleshy taproot overwinters, and the following spring, it enters reproductive growth, producing flower spikes. The flower spikes bear hard, spherical, capitulate inflorescences, with tubular, light purple or white flowers, which are related to the color of the petioles. The general seed setting rate is about 65%, the fruits are oblong, spiny, gray-brown, with a 1000-seed weight of 12 to 14 grams, and it takes 30 to 40 days from flowering to seed maturity. The germination period can last for 3 to 5 years.
2. Requirements for Environmental Conditions
(1) Temperature: Burdock is highly adaptable to environmental conditions and grows well in warm and humid conditions. The germination temperature for seeds is 10 to 30°C, with the optimal temperature being 25 to 30°C, and光照 conditions can promote germination. The optimal temperature for plant growth is 20 to 25°C. The above-ground parts have strong heat resistance, require abundant sunlight, but have poor cold resistance, as leaves can be damaged by temperatures of 3°C. The underground fleshy taproot is relatively cold-resistant, still growing at 0°C and can safely overwinter at temperatures as low as -20°C.
(2) Light: Burdock is a light-loving plant, and seed germination requires light conditions. Plant development requires strong light and long-day conditions, so abundant sunlight is an essential environmental factor for the growth and development of burdock.
(3) Water: Burdock is drought-resistant but not flood-tolerant. Planting in areas with high groundwater levels or waterlogging can lead to root rot. Continuous flooding for 2 days can cause the fleshy taproot to rot.
(4) Soil Nutrition: Burdock is a deep-rooted vegetable with strict soil requirements. It is suitable for deep, fertile, loose-textured, well-drained neutral sandy loam or loam soil. A soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal. Burdock dislikes successive cropping and should be rotated every 5 to 6 years, or at least every 3 years. Previous crops should be cereal crops or leafy vegetables. Avoid using peanuts, sweet potatoes, eggplants, or peppers as the previous crop.
3. Types and Varieties
According to the length of the fleshy taproot, it can be divided into three types.
(1) Long-rooted Burdock: The root is thin and long, up to 130 centimeters, with a light yellow-brown skin, smooth, and the flesh is soft. The hollow in the middle of the root is rare.
(2) Medium-rooted Burdock: The root is thicker, 70 to 100 centimeters long, with a diameter of 7 centimeters, the flesh is soft, and the taste is delicious. The disadvantage is that the hollow in the middle of the root is larger.
(3) Short and Thick Burdock: The root is spindle-shaped, short and thick, with a very large hollow in the middle, the flesh is soft, and the aroma is strong.
4. Cultivation Methods and Seasons
Burdock is mostly cultivated in the open field. The cultivation season is usually divided into spring and autumn. The spring crop is sown from early April to mid-May and harvested in late autumn or early winter. If mulched with plastic film in early spring, it can be sown in late March and harvested in August. The autumn crop is sown from late August to early October and harvested in June or July of the following year. In warm climates, the sowing can be slightly later. If sown too early, bolting may occur in spring.
5. Cultivation Techniques
(1) Seed Treatment: Before sowing, the seeds should be dried for 1 to 2 days, as newly harvested seeds have a dormancy period. Sulfuric acid and temperature treatments should be used to break dormancy. Soaking the seeds in clear water for 24 hours before sowing can also remove substances that inhibit germination. After soaking, place the seeds in a 25°C incubator to promote germination. The general sowing rate is 0.5 to 0.6 kilograms per mu.
(2) Land Preparation and Bedding: The land for planting burdock should be deeply cultivated and turned over early to promote root growth and the development of the fleshy root. The soil should be deep turned to a depth of 70 to 75 centimeters, generally turned over 1 to 2 times, and 2000 kilograms of manure, 10 kilograms of urea or 17 kilograms of ammonium sulfate, 20 kilograms of superphosphate, and 6 kilograms of potassium chloride should be applied per mu before plowing, thoroughly mixed with the soil. Organic fertilizers must be carefully cleared of stones and plastics before application, and soil clumps must be crushed to prevent the formation of too many branching roots. Fine soil with sufficient base fertilizer should be formed into high ridges or beds, 1 to 1.5 meters wide and of varying lengths depending on the land.
(3) Sowing: The growth period of commercial burdock is generally 120 to 140 days. A shorter growth period results in lower yield, while an overly long period can cause hollowing and reduce quality. Therefore, an appropriate sowing and harvesting period should be chosen. The best sowing period for spring crops is early May, and for autumn crops, it is mid to late September. Pre-germinate the seeds before sowing, then sow them on the high ridges, 2 centimeters deep, with a spacing of 5 to 6 centimeters.
(4) Field Management
① Thinning: Burdock generally germinates in 7 to 10 days. The first thinning is done when the cotyledons are fully expanded, the second thinning when 1 to 2 true leaves have appeared, and the final thinning when 4 to 5 true leaves have appeared, keeping the spacing between plants at 12 centimeters, with about 10,000 plants per mu.
② Inter-row Cultivation and Weeding: As the seedlings grow slowly and there are many weeds in the field during the seedling stage, inter-row cultivation and weeding are very important. Shallow hoeing is done after the true leaves appear, generally three times, combined with removing field weeds and timely hoeing and earthing up.
③ Watering: Burdock has a long growth period and large biomass, requiring a lot of water. Generally, it is not necessary to water during the seedling stage, as early watering can lead to shallow root systems and more branching roots. From June to July, if the weather is dry and the leaves show signs of wilting, watering should be done promptly to keep the soil moist, which is beneficial for the growth of the fleshy root. However, if there is excessive rainfall, drainage should be ensured to prevent root rot.
④ Fertilization: Fertilization should be done in several stages according to the growth situation. The first fertilization is done when 1 to 2 true leaves have appeared, applying 400 kilograms of decomposed manure, 5 to 7 kilograms of urea, 17 kilograms of superphosphate, and 5 kilograms of potassium chloride per mu, applying the fertilizer in a trench next to the seedlings and covering it with soil after application. The second fertilization is generally done when 3 to 4 true leaves have appeared, applying fertilizer in a trench on one side of the seedlings, using 10 kilograms of urea or 20 kilograms of ammonium sulfate and 6 kilograms of potassium chloride. Care should be taken not to apply the fertilizer too close to the root zone of the seedlings to avoid damaging the absorbing roots. The third fertilization is done based on the seedling condition, applying liquid fertilizer.
6. Prevention and Control Measures for Branching Roots
Burdock taproots with branching can severely affect their commercial value. The main causes of branching and preventive measures are as follows:
(1) Heavy clay soil with large clumps can easily cause branching, so it is suitable to cultivate in sandy soil or sandy loam.
(2) Applying uncomposted manure can cause the tip of the taproot to be damaged, leading to branching, so manure must be composted before application and applied to one side of the plant after germination to avoid contact with the root tip and burning the roots.
(3) Excessive application of chemical fertilizers can increase the soil solution concentration, injuring the taproot and causing branching.
(4) If the soil is too dry during the early seedling stage to the initial stage of taproot development, branching can occur, so it is necessary to pay attention to proper irrigation to keep the soil loose and moist.
(5) Seedlings from old seeds germinate slowly, have poor taproot growth, and are prone to branching. It is best to use new seeds in production.
7. Harvesting and Storage
(1) Harvesting: The average yield of burdock is 1500 to 2000 kilograms per mu. When harvesting, care should be taken to protect the fleshy root from damage. Before harvesting, cut the above-ground part of the plant from the base of the petiole (leaving a petiole 10 to 20 centimeters long) and then remove the loose soil layer with a hoe or铲 and pull the plant up by hand.
(2) Storage: After harvesting in autumn and winter, part of the fleshy roots are sorted (C-S), and the majority are stored for a period of time. Choose a well-drained area, dig a 1-meter-deep trench, and alternate layers of burdock and fine soil (one layer of burdock, one layer of fine soil), stacking them layer by layer, and finally covering the soil to prevent drying. According to market needs, they are sorted (C-S) in batches and at different times.
The above [] introduces the complete content of burdock seed germination techniques. Have green plant enthusiasts understood it?