Pasture seeds play a vital role in establishing artificial grasslands and improving natural ones. They are the foundation for expanding forage production and ensuring high-quality feed. To produce high-yield, high-quality pasture seeds, it is essential to select seeds that are pure, full, viable, and free from weeds and pests. Moreover, scientific management and quality control must be strictly implemented throughout the seed production process to meet industry standards.
To ensure successful seed production, several key steps must be followed:
1. **Site Selection for Seed Fields**: The land chosen for seed production should have good irrigation and drainage, ample sunlight, and proper air circulation. It should be on flat or gently sloping ground with deep, fertile soil. Ideally, the soil should be neutral. In colder regions, it's better to choose low-lying, sheltered, and sunny areas. A fence should surround the field to prevent contamination.
2. **Isolation of Seed Fields**: Most pasture plants are cross-pollinated, so isolation between different varieties is crucial to maintain seed purity. If multiple varieties are grown on the same plot, there should be at least a 3-year gap. It’s best to rotate with fallow land or other crops before planting.
3. **Pre-Sowing Preparation and Seed Treatment**: Before sowing, the soil should be finely tilled and allowed to settle. For newly opened fields, the soil should be left to mature. On previously cultivated land, after harvesting, deep plowing combined with manure (about 2000–3000 kg per acre) is recommended. Seeds with husks or awns should be shelled before sowing. Hard-seeded legumes and grass seeds require additional post-harvest treatments.
4. **Sowing Techniques**: Sowing is typically done in spring, with some also in summer or autumn. Spacing should be between 30–50 cm. The depth of coverage depends on seed size—2–3 cm for small seeds and 4–6 cm for larger ones. In windy areas, the soil cover should be thicker to protect the seeds.
5. **Field Management**: After sowing, regular irrigation and fertilization are necessary. For non-alfalfa pastures, weeding should be done before flowering. During the flowering stage, bee pollination or manual pollination can be used to improve seed set.
6. **Field Inspection**: Throughout the growing season, regular inspections of the seed field are needed to assess seed quality. Key factors include variety purity, presence of weeds, disease incidence, and plant health. Field tests are usually conducted at three stages: seedling, flowering, and maturity, with the flowering stage being the most critical for evaluation.
7. **Harvesting and Storage**: Seeds should be harvested promptly once they are fully mature to minimize losses. Newly harvested seeds often contain impurities and must be cleaned before storage. Moisture content should be below 14%, and if higher, drying is required. The storage area must be well-ventilated, dry, and rodent-proof. A dedicated seed bank with proper management systems is essential for long-term preservation.
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