Isatis root cultivation techniques: when to plant Isatis root

Isatis root was originally a kind of weed in the countryside. As demand in the medicinal herb market gradually increased, this countryside wild grass also gradually became a wealth-generating grass in the hands of farmers. Large-scale cultivation of Isatis root has become a channel for medicinal herb growers to become wealthy. If you want to plant Isatis root next, cultivation techniques are indispensable.

Isatis root cultivation techniques

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Isatis root is a deep-rooted plant. Apply 4-5 cubic meters of decomposed organic fertilizer per 667 sq m. Before application, crush it fine first, then spread it evenly on the ground. Deep plow 20-30 cm, harrow fine and level, and make flat beds 1 m wide. When the soil is dry, water thoroughly, and sow after the surface soil is slightly dry and loose.

2. Sowing

It is divided into spring sowing and summer sowing. Spring sowing is around Qingming, at the latest no later than Guyu. Summer sowing is around Mangzhong. When sowing, in the prepared bed, draw furrows 1.5 cm deep at a row spacing of 20 cm, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, then cover with soil, level, press lightly, and water immediately. Generally, seedlings emerge in 7-10 days, using 1.5-2 kg of seed per 667 sq m. In some production areas, Isatis is intercropped with grain crops or vegetables, which can make full use of the land and achieve increased income.

3. Field management

After sowing, keep the soil moist. When seedlings are 6-10 cm tall, thin to a final stand (you can also set the final stand in one go, or first thin and then set the final stand), removing the weak and keeping the strong. If there are gaps, transplant in time to fill them. The focus of management is cultivating and weeding. After seedlings emerge, hoe shallowly to prevent injuring the seedlings. After the final stand is set, loosen the soil and weed, keep the surface soil often loose, and keep the field free of weeds. For those mainly harvesting Daqingye, topdress 3 times a year. The first topdressing is after the final stand is set, applying 10-12 kg of urea per 667 sq m, applied in furrows between rows, and water if there is drought; the second and third times are topdressed immediately after harvesting leaves. For those mainly harvesting Isatis root, do not cut leaves during the vigorous growth period, and apply less nitrogen fertilizer; 30-40 kg of cake fertilizer may be applied.

4. Management of seed fields

Spring-sown Isatis cannot bloom and set seed in the same year. In order to harvest seeds, it must undergo low temperatures. There are the following two methods: First, when digging and harvesting Isatis root in late October, select pest-free, thick, straight main roots, transplant them to a seed production plot and strengthen management, cover with horse manure in November to protect against cold, and the seeds mature from late May to early June of the following year. Select and keep plump, full seeds for propagation the next year.

Second, in August, select a sunny, fertile plot and sow. In the same year, seedlings can reach about 30 cm tall. Before winter, fertilize and water fully to promote seedling growth. After greening up the second year, thin twice, leaving plants at a row spacing of 30-40 cm. It blooms in mid-to-late April, and seeds can be harvested from May to June. For any Isatis that has produced seeds, its roots should no longer be used for medicinal purposes.

When to plant Isatis root

Different sowing seasons for Isatis root also result in different harvested products. According to the sowing time of Isatis root, it can be divided into 4 stages: autumn sowing, early spring sowing, spring sowing, and summer sowing. Autumn sowing and early spring sowing are mostly for the purpose of harvesting seeds. The roots of Isatis root planted in these two periods cannot be used as medicinal material; summer sowing is suitable for areas in the south with a longer plum rain season. This method can reduce pests and diseases, but the yield is lower. Spring-sown Isatis root can harvest both leaves and roots, and the yield is relatively high, so it is the most commonly used method.

Varieties of Isatis root

1. Isatis root: It is the dried root of the plant woad (Isatis indigotica), appearing as a slender cylindrical shape, with a light grayish-yellow surface, rough, with longitudinal wrinkles and transverse speckles, and branch root scars. The root head is slightly swollen, with a concave hollow at the top, surrounded by dark green leaf stalk remnants. Thicker roots also show dense wart-like protrusions and grayish-brown leaf stalk scars arranged in a ring. The texture is solid and brittle; the bark in cross-section is yellowish-white to light brown, and the xylem is yellow. Those with straight, thick, solid roots and high powder content are considered better.

2. Baphicacanthus root: It is the dried rhizome and root of the plant Baphicacanthus cusia, grayish-brown. The rhizome is cylindrical, with a short aboveground stem on the upper part. The aboveground stem has opposite branches, and the rhizome has swollen nodes, from which slightly thicker rhizomes and slender fibrous roots grow. The roots are slender and slightly curved, with fine wrinkles on the surface. The rhizome and aboveground stem are brittle and easy to break, with an uneven cross-section, slightly fibrous, and a large pith in the center; the root part is relatively flexible. Those with long strips and uniform thickness are considered better.

Growing conditions for Isatis root

Isatis root has strong adaptability to climate and soil conditions. It is resistant to severe cold and likes warmth, but fears waterlogging. It can grow normally in the Yangtze River basin and the vast northern regions of China. The seeds germinate easily and germinate well within the range of 15C-30C, with a germination rate generally above 80%, and the seed lifespan is 1-2 years.

The normal growth and development process of Isatis root must go through a low-temperature stage in winter before it can bloom and set seed. Therefore, in production, this characteristic is used by adopting spring sowing or summer sowing, harvesting leaves and digging up roots in the same year, with a planting time of 5-7 months. If cultivated according to the normal growth period, it is only used for seed production.

If you want to become wealthy by growing Isatis root, you not only need to master cultivation techniques, but more importantly, you need to master the growth habits of Isatis root, and then on this basis continuously create a suitable growing environment for Isatis root, following the environment for growth, so that you can obtain better returns.