Atractylodes macrocephala planting techniques and planting time explained in detail

Atractylodes macrocephala is presumably no stranger to many people; it is one of the most common and highly sought-after medicinal herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, and it is currently distributed in many parts of our country. Atractylodes macrocephala is very popular on the market at present, which has prompted many people to want to grow it. So understanding its planting time and techniques is a necessary prerequisite.

Atractylodes macrocephala planting techniques

1. Preparing the seedbed. One month before sowing Atractylodes macrocephala, turn the soil, cover it with a 30 cm thick layer of weeds, and burn the soil to sterilize it and prevent pests and diseases; immediately after burning, turn the grass ash into the soil. If the soil is not burned, the soil can be turned in the winter of the previous year so that the soil is fully weathered by freezing. After the land has been treated, make beds 100-130 cm wide and about the corresponding number of cm high, with the bed surface arched, high in the middle and low around the edges, and apply 150-225 loads of human and animal manure per hectare as base fertilizer.

2. Sowing. In arid areas, it is advisable to first soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, then scoop them out and mix them with sandy soil before sowing in the field; where irrigation conditions are available, the seeds do not need to be soaked. There are two sowing methods: broadcast sowing and drill sowing. For broadcast sowing, 150-112.5 kg of seed per hectare, and the seed from each hectare can plant 300-450 kg of rhizome stock; generally each 0.5 kg of rhizome stock contains about 140-150 pieces. For drill sowing, 60-75 kg per hectare, with a row spacing of 16 cm and a sowing width of 6-10 cm in shallow furrows. The depth is about 3-5 cm, and the bottom of the furrow should be level so that seedlings emerge uniformly. For covering soil, 3 cm can be used; 1 hectare of seedling-raising field can supply 150 hectares of land. Before seedling emergence, the soil should maintain sufficient temperature, or the surface should be covered with wormwood or barnyard manure to avoid soil crusting (in Beijing, generally watering 2-3 times is enough for seedling emergence). The latter method is commonly used and easy to manage.

Atractylodes macrocephala planting time

The sowing time for Atractylodes macrocephala is generally suitable from late March to early April each year.

Field management of Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Timely thinning: After the Atractylodes macrocephala seedlings emerge, thin them to a plant spacing of 4-6 cm. If the weather is dry, weeds can be removed between the plants to reduce water evaporation. Where conditions permit, watering in the morning and evening can be done to resist drought. If bolting is found in the later growth stage, it should be removed promptly.

2. Intertillage and weeding: From seedling emergence of Atractylodes macrocephala until May, there are many weeds in the field, so intertillage and weeding should be done frequently. The first few intertillages can be deeper, and afterward shallow hoeing should be used. After mid-May, intertillage is generally no longer done; if there are weeds between the plants, they can be pulled by hand.

3. Reasonable fertilization: Around the bud stage of Atractylodes macrocephala, one topdressing can be applied, with 20 kg of urea and 30 kg of compound fertilizer applied in furrows between the rows per mu; after application, cover with soil and water. One week after bud removal, another topdressing can be applied.

4. Irrigation and drainage: During the growth period, Atractylodes macrocephala needs sufficient moisture, especially during the rhizome enlargement period. If drought occurs, it should be irrigated in time; if water accumulates after rain, it should be drained promptly.

5. Removing flower buds: Atractylodes macrocephala generally begins to form buds in mid-June. From early to mid-July, after budding and before flowering, remove the buds in batches, which helps increase the yield and quality of the rhizomes.

6. Covering with grass for summering: Atractylodes macrocephala fears high temperatures, so in the high-temperature season of July, a layer of leaves, wheat bran, or other mulch can be spread on the soil surface to regulate ground temperature and help Atractylodes macrocephala safely pass the summer.

Pest control of Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Disease and pest control. For southern blight, soak the seeds in a 1000-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl before planting, and spread lime around the plants for disinfection. Or use a 1000-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl to irrigate the affected area.

2. For damping-off, a 1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim can be used for irrigation. For leaf rust, which occurs from June to August, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:100 or a 1000-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim.

3. For rust disease, spray a 1000-fold dilution of 25% triadimefon.

4. For root rot, spray a 500-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim and a 100-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl, or an 800-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl.

5. In addition, there are damage from sclerotium disease, root-knot nematode disease, mosaic disease, dodder, and others; pests include Atractylodes macrocephala seed pests, Atractylodes macrocephala long-tube aphids, as well as red spiders, scarab beetles, cutworms, and others.

When planting Atractylodes macrocephala, it is generally best to choose spring each year as the most suitable time. Then do a good job of site selection, and then sow. In the later stages of planting, its field management work should be strengthened. Atractylodes macrocephala is also very susceptible to pest invasion, so pest control must also be done properly.