Atractylodes macrocephala Yield Per Mu and Returns with Detailed Cultivation Techniques

Atractylodes macrocephala is a medicinal herb, and it is currently cultivated in many places in our country. Atractylodes macrocephala has strong efficacy and is highly popular on the market, so many people want to grow it. So can growing Atractylodes macrocephala really bring high economic returns? How should it be grown to achieve high yields?

Atractylodes macrocephala Yield Per Mu and Returns

Atractylodes macrocephala is a major bulk variety of Chinese medicinal material with both high economic value and medicinal value. Its usage is relatively large, and its cultivation is also relatively widespread. In recent years, Atractylodes macrocephala has developed rapidly. Because of high growing returns and low cost, the total cost is about 3500 yuan, while the yield per mu of Atractylodes macrocephala can reach 300-400 kg. Calculated at the current market price of 30 yuan/kg, the income per mu is about 9000-12000 yuan, and the profit reaches about 5500-8500 yuan.

Cultivation Techniques for Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Land preparation and fertilization. For the seedling-raising land of Atractylodes macrocephala, choose slightly acidic sandy loam with medium fertility, good drainage, and cool ventilation. Apply 2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, plow deeply, rake level and fine, and make beds 1.2 m wide. For the main field, it is best to choose fertile, ventilated, cool, and well-drained sandy loam where Atractylodes macrocephala has not been grown for 5 years. The previous crop is preferably a grass-family crop. After the previous crop is harvested, apply 3000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, together with 50 kg of superphosphate as base fertilizer, plow deeply 20 cm, and make beds 1-1.5 m wide.

2. Seedling raising: From late March to early April, choose new seeds with plump grains and no pests or diseases, soak them in warm water at 30°C for 1 day, then remove and germinate before sowing. Drill sowing or broadcast sowing, using 5-7 kg of seed per mu. Seedlings emerge 7-10 days after sowing. After emergence, remove the covering grass, strengthen field management, and by winter before transplanting, 400-600 kg of fresh rhizome transplants can be cultivated per mu.

3. Transplanting: Transplanting can be done from winter of the same year to spring of the following year. The best ones are those that do not sprout leaves or flower in the same year, have strong main buds, and have small, neat rhizomes the size of an apricot pit. When transplanting, cut off the fibrous roots, open furrows 10 cm deep at a row spacing of 25 cm, place the seedlings into the furrows at a plant spacing of about 15 cm, with the bud tips facing upward and level with the ground, press slightly on both sides, and water after planting. Each mu requires 50-60 kg of fresh Atractylodes macrocephala.

Field Management Techniques for High Yield of Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Topdressing: Apply sufficient base fertilizer, mainly decomposed stable manure or compost, etc. For base fertilizer, use 11250 kg of human manure and urine per hectare, and 375-525 kg of superphosphate. In early May, when the seedlings have basically emerged completely, apply one application of thin human manure and urine, 7500 kg per hectare. Around the fruiting period, this is the time when Atractylodes macrocephala has the strongest nutrient uptake, the fastest growth and development, and the most rapid underground rhizome expansion throughout the entire growth period. Generally, at full flowering stage, apply 15000 kg of human manure and urine per hectare and 450 kg of superphosphate.

2. Intertillage and weeding: Loosen the soil shallowly. In principle, keep the field free of weeds. Loosen the soil shallowly before the seedlings emerge. Weed when the seedlings are 3-6 cm tall. Do not let the soil become compacted. Do not weed after rain when the dew has not dried, otherwise it is easy to become infected with iron leaf disease. From late July to late September is exactly the time when roots are growing, so pull weeds 1-2 times a month.

3. Irrigation and drainage: Atractylodes macrocephala avoids high temperature and excessive moisture, so attention must be paid to drainage work. If drainage is poor, it will hinder the growth of the plants and make them prone to disease. Standing water in the field can easily cause seedling death, so pay attention to digging ditches, clearing ditches, and draining promptly after rain. In late August, rhizome expansion is obvious and a certain amount of water is needed. If there is a long drought, water appropriately to keep the field moist, otherwise yield will be affected.

Prospects for Growing Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Atractylodes macrocephala is a commonly used and important bulk Chinese medicinal material. It has functions such as tonifying the spleen and strengthening the stomach, drying dampness and promoting diuresis, stopping sweating, and calming the fetus. Modern research shows that the rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala contains volatile oil, whose main components include atractylone, atractylol, and atractylenolide, etc., and it has certain therapeutic effects on cirrhosis ascites, primary liver cancer, Meniere's syndrome, chronic low back pain, acute enteritis, and leukopenia, etc. Atractylodes macrocephala has a wide range of uses. In addition to being used in medical prescriptions, it is also an important raw material for more than 40 kinds of Chinese patent medicine preparations.

2. Growers should seek yield through fine and scientific management in order to obtain the greatest economic benefits. According to the author's understanding, due to great differences in planting experience and management levels in different places, the yield of improved Atractylodes macrocephala per mu is between 300-500 kg, and the difference in yield per mu is still quite large. Therefore, within the same production cycle, some growers can obtain ideal yields and returns because their techniques are in place and their management level is high, resulting in high Atractylodes macrocephala yields.

If grown well, the yield per mu of Atractylodes macrocephala will still be very good, and the economic benefits will also be very high. However, its high-yield cultivation techniques must be mastered. Not everyone who grows it can make money. Therefore, those who want to grow it must first make a budget and analysis, and not be too blind.