Detailed Explanation of Key Technical Points for Field Cultivation and Management of Angelica sinensis

Angelica sinensis, (scientific name: Angelica sinensis,) with the aliases dried angelica, Qinnuo, western angelica, Minxian angelica, golden angelica, angelica body, Han guiwei, angelica qu, and tu dang gui, is a perennial herb, 0.4-1 m tall. The flowering period is June-July, and the fruiting period is July-September. China introduced European angelica from Europe in 1957. It is mainly produced in southeastern Gansu, with Minxian County having the highest yield and the best quality, followed by Yunnan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei and other provinces, all of which are cultivated. Some provinces and regions in China have also introduced and cultivated it. Its root can be used as medicine and is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. It has the effects of nourishing blood and harmonizing blood, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, moistening dryness and lubricating the intestines, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and immune support.

Growth habits of Angelica sinensis

It is a low-temperature long-day crop and is suitable for high-cold and cool climates. It can be cultivated at altitudes of about 1500-3000 m. In low-altitude areas, the bolting rate is high, and it is not easy to survive the summer. During the seedling stage, it prefers shade, with a light transmittance of 10%, and avoids direct exposure to strong sunlight; mature plants can tolerate strong light. It is suitable for cultivation in sandy loam soil with deep soil layers, looseness, good drainage, fertility, and rich humus. It should not be planted in low-lying waterlogged areas or easily compacted clay soil and barren sandy soil, and continuous cropping should be avoided.

Field cultivation and management techniques for Angelica sinensis

1. Suitable planting range. Angelica sinensis grows well in high mountains at an altitude of 1500~3000 m and in natural environments with relatively high air humidity. The soil should preferably be slightly acidic to neutral, deep, loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam or humus loam. Continuous cropping should be avoided.

2. Site selection and land preparation. Choose a semi-shady and semi-sunny slope. The soil should preferably be fertile, loose, neutral or slightly acidic sandy loam rich in humus. Deeply plow the land 20—25 cm, apply 30--60 kg of compound fertilizer, rake finely and level. Generally, open furrows and make beds at 1 m, with a furrow width of 30 cm and a bed height of about 25 cm, and open drainage ditches around the perimeter to facilitate drainage. The previous crop is preferably wheat, hemp, flax, rapeseed, etc., and potato and legume plots should not be selected.

3. Sowing and seedling raising. Sow in the seedling field from early June to late June. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 30 ℃ for 24 hours, take them out, dry them in the sun, then broadcast them, cover the seeds firmly, and then cover with weeds. The sowing rate is 4~5 kg per mu. Seedlings emerge about half a month after sowing. At this time, loosen the covering grass to prevent damaging the seedlings when removing the grass. Remove the covering grass in early August. Weed whenever there are weeds and keep the field free of weeds. Combine weeding with thinning seedlings, remove the weak and keep the strong, with a plant spacing of about 1 cm being suitable.

4. Seedling selection and transplanting

1) Seedling selection. Generally, select small seedlings with a diameter of 2—5 mm, uniform and robust growth, no disease or injury, few branches, and smooth epidermis for later use (seedling age 90—110 days, fresh weight of 100 roots 40—70 g). Seedlings with a diameter below 2 mm that are too thin and large seedlings above 6 mm should be used with caution as much as possible.

2) Seedling treatment. Before planting, use 250 g each of 40% isofenphos-methyl and 40% carbendazim mixed with 10—15 kg of water to prepare a medicinal solution, dip the seedlings in the agent, and generally transplant them into the field after about 10 hours. This can prevent diseases, insect pests, and angelica mottled dwarf disease.

3) Timely transplanting. Angelica planting is divided into two types: winter planting and spring planting. Winter planting is carried out after the Beginning of Autumn and before the soil freezes, and spring planting is preferably around Qingming from the Spring Equinox to Grain Rain.

4) Planting density. Generally, keep 6500—8000 seedlings per mu.

5) Planting method. At present, plastic film mulching cultivation is generally used in production. The technical specifications of various planting methods are: for plastic film cultivation, use strong ultra-thin film 70—80 cm wide and 0.005 or 0.006 mm thick, with a belt width of 100 cm, ridge surface width of 60 cm, ridge spacing of 40 cm, and ridge height of 10 cm. Plant 2 rows per ridge, with a row spacing of 50 cm and a hole spacing of 20 cm, 2 seedlings per hole, hole depth 15 cm, and 6600 holes per mu. Cover with film first and then plant, and after planting, press the hole openings firmly and seal with soil.

5. Field management

1) Checking seedlings and replanting. Angelica generally emerges 20—30 days after transplanting. After the seedlings are uniform, check the seedlings and replant in time.

2) Intertillage and weeding. After the seedlings are fully established, carry out intertillage and weeding three times for Angelica. The first weeding is when the seedlings are 5 cm high after full establishment, with shallow tillage and shallow hoeing; the second weeding is when the seedlings are 10—15 cm high, with appropriately deeper hoeing; the third weeding is when the seedlings are 25—30 cm high, combined with intertillage and weeding, and also hilling up soil.

3) Topdressing. During the seedling stage of Angelica, do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive growth. In the middle and late stages, combined with intertillage and weeding, apply 30--50 kg of compound fertilizer per mu.

4) Removing flower bolts. If plants bolt early due to improper control during cultivation, they should be cut off and removed completely as early as possible; otherwise, the quality of the medicinal material will be affected.

5) Irrigation and drainage. In the early growth stage of Angelica, water less. When the soil is dry, water appropriately to keep the soil moist. Do not use flood irrigation. In the later stage, the field must not accumulate water. In the rainy season, drain accumulated water in time to prevent root rot.

6. Diseases and insect pests and their control

1) Root rot. Root rot is a type of imperfect fungus and mainly harms the roots of Angelica. Control methods: first, before planting, disinfect the soil with 1 kg of 70% quintozene; second, select disease-free and robust seedlings for planting, soak the seedlings in a 600-fold solution of 65% zineb for 10 minutes before planting, and rotate with gramineous crops as much as possible, and drain water in time after rain; third, remove diseased plants in time when found, and disinfect the disease holes with lime; fourth, irrigate the diseased area with a 1000-fold solution of 50% carbendazim.

2) Brown spot disease. Brown spot disease is also a type of imperfect fungus and is prone to occur under high temperature and high humidity. On Angelica, it mainly harms the plant leaves, generally occurring in May and becoming severe in July—August. In the early stage of the disease, a 600-fold solution of 65% zineb or 1:1:120 Bordeaux mixture can be sprayed or used to irrigate the diseased area for control.