How buckwheat grows: what the plant looks like on the field, what family it belongs to, description
Buckwheat is considered one of the most popular and sought-after products. At the same time, not every person knows how buckwheat grows, how this plant looks on the field, and to which family it belongs. To understand these features, it is required to study the botanical description of the culture. To get a rich harvest of buckwheat, it is definitely recommended to follow the rules of agricultural technology.
Description of the plant
Buckwheat is an annual herbaceous crop. This melliferous and cereal plant is also considered a pseudocereal.This crop is used for the production of buckwheat. It is often referred to as a cereal or cereal variety. In fact, this is a cereal grain plant, the seeds of which have certain differences from monocot grains.
Sowing buckwheat is characterized by the following distinctive features:
- Root system - in the central part there is a large long root. A large number of smaller adventitious roots depart from it, which differ in horizontal arrangement.
- Stems - they are strong and ribbed and can produce up to 12 branches. At the end of the growing season, the stems turn red and have a rough texture. Each individual stem includes 3 fragments. Below is the hypocotyl knee, from which stem roots grow. In the central part there are branches, and on top is the fruiting zone.
- Leaves - have a green color and alternate arrangement.On the main stem and its branches there are wide leaves of a spear-shaped or arrow-shaped shape. The upper leaves are located on long petioles, and the lower ones fit snugly to the branches. Each one has feathery veins.
- Flowers are regular in shape and include 5 pink or red petals. They have 3 columns and 8 stamens. Small flowering brushes resemble shields. They are characterized by cross-pollination, which leads to a high percentage of fertilization. Pollination involves insects or the wind.
What family does it belong to
Buckwheat belongs to the Buckwheat family, which includes several species. However, in Russia only 2 varieties are predominantly grown - cultural and Tatar. For the manufacture of cereals, the first type is used.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionThe Tatar variety is also called "kyrlyk" . It is resistant to low temperatures and has thick-skinned fruits. This product is used as animal feed. In addition, the plant is used as green manure. Under natural conditions, this culture is found in Siberia.Appearance during flowering
During flowering, small flowers of white, pink or reddish hue appear on buckwheat bushes. They are distinguished by a pronounced aroma and attract bees. The flowers have 5 petals and form a brush. In one inflorescence there are 600-2000 bisexual flowers. Buckwheat is characterized by sexual dimorphism. At the same time, the columns and stamens of one flower differ significantly in height.
Buckwheat bloom lasts up to 2 months. The peduncle is very tender and is afraid of frost. It is also the first to be damaged in dry weather.
What it looks like before harvesting
At the end of summer or in the first half of autumn, the bunch transforms into a fruit that resembles a small nut with 3 sharply defined edges. The fruits are light gray, dark brown. The fruits themselves are winged and wingless. There are also intermediate specimens that are covered with husks.
How it grows on the field
The technology of growing buckwheat implies the strict implementation of recommendations for its planting. To do this, you need to choose the right site and process the seeds. Compliance with landing dates is of no small importance. Thanks to this, the plant will have time to produce a crop and will not die from return frosts.
Buckwheat can be planted in the following ways:
- narrow row - row spacing is 7.5 centimeters;
- ordinary - row spacing is 15 centimeters;
- wide-row - row spacing is 45-60 centimeters.
The last two schemes require row and row seeders. Soil quality affects planting depth. In a heavy and clay substrate, the seeds are deepened by 3-5 centimeters. On well-groomed arable land, the planting depth is 6 centimeters. Seeds are planted in dry soil by 8-10 centimeters. After sowing, you need to roll and level the soil. This will speed up the emergence of sprouts.
Buckwheat is recommended to be planted in light and fertile soil. It is best to give preference to neutral or slightly acidic soil. Organic fertilizers should be applied under the previous crop. If you use manure right before planting buckwheat, a large amount of green mass will grow instead of seeds. Poor soils are considered an exception. In this case, it is recommended to apply 5 tons of humus and 3 centners of phosphate rock per 1 hectare in spring.
In autumn, when digging up the soil, you can add potassium chlorine-containing preparations. It is also permissible to use complexes based on nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in a ratio of 40:30:40. Usually superphosphate is used for this purpose. It is worth applying 10-20 kilograms of such top dressing per 1 hectare.
In the spring, it is enough to dig up a site and outline future beds. In this case, nitrogen cannot be used. When creating wide row spacings, potassium and phosphorus should be added.
Before planting buckwheat, seed material must be processed. Only large and heavy grains will bring a good harvest. Buckwheat is dried in the sun for several days. At the same time, it is recommended to cover the seed with a tarpaulin at night. To increase the yield, you can treat with such preparations:
- boric acid - 160-200 grams per 1 centner;
- borax - 300 grams per 1 centner;
- ash - 3000 grams per 1 centner.
Buckwheat is required to be planted after the soil has warmed up to a depth of 10 centimeters. Planting work is carried out from the end of April to the end of June. Specific dates depend on the climatic features of the region.
After planting buckwheat, you need to immediately start fighting weeds. To do this, harrowing is carried out across the rows or at an angle. A similar technique is used after the appearance of sprouts.
Timely moistening of the soil is considered an important component of growing buckwheat. This plant does not tolerate drought well, so the irrigation system must be thought out in advance. For the development of a strong root system, it is required to loosen the soil and spud plantings. When buckwheat bushes reach large sizes, weeding plantings can only be done manually.
Buckwheat is a common plant that is used to make a popular cereal. In order for crop cultivation to be effective, it is important to strictly adhere to the rules of agricultural technology.
