A Detailed Guide to Polygonatum Cultivation Techniques and Field Management Methods
Polygonatum (scientific name: Polygonatum sibiricum), also known as: chicken-head polygonatum, yellow chicken vegetable, brush-tube vegetable, claw ginseng, tiger ginger, chicken-claw ginseng. It is a plant of the genus Polygonatum, with horizontal rhizomes, cylindrical, and enlarged nodes. Leaves are whorled, sessile. A medicinal plant, it has the effects of tonifying the spleen, moistening the lungs and promoting fluid production. Polygonatum has great economic value, so how is Polygonatum cultivated and managed in the field? Below we will introduce it to everyone.
First, look at site selection and land preparation
For planting Polygonatum, choose relatively moist and fertile woodland or mountain land, and forest-edge land is most suitable. It requires no waterlogging and no saline-alkali influence. Fertile, loose sandy soil rich in humus is best. Thin soil, arid land and sandy land are not suitable for planting. Land preparation requires deep plowing of the soil more than 30cm, then leveling and raking fine before making beds. Generally the bed surface width is 1.2m. The bed length is 10-15m, and the bed surface is 10-15cm higher than the ground level. Apply sufficient base fertilizer in the bed, 4000kg/mu of high-quality decomposed farmyard manure, evenly applied into the bed soil. Then deep plow 30cm again. Make the fertilizer and soil fully mixed, then level and rake fine and wait for sowing.
Seed propagation: Select robust, pest-free biennial plants to retain for seed, strengthen field management, collect in autumn when the berries turn black and mature, and carry out wet sand low-temperature treatment before winter. The method is to dig a deep pit in a sunny, wind-sheltered place in the yard. Depth 40cm, width 30cm. Thoroughly mix 1 part seeds with 3 parts fine sand evenly. The moisture of the sand should be such that it forms a ball when held in the hand, scatters when dropped, and does not drip between the fingers. Put the mixed seed and wet sand into the pit. Place tall straw in the center to facilitate ventilation. Then cover with fine sand, keep the pit moist, check frequently, and prevent drying out and rodent damage. In early April of the following spring, take out the seeds, sieve out the wet sand and sow. On the prepared seedbed, open furrows 3-5cm deep at a row spacing of 15cm, and evenly sow the treated germinated seeds into the furrows. Cover with soil 2.5-3cm thick, press slightly, and keep the soil moist. For plots with poor soil moisture, water thoroughly once after sowing, then insert arch strips, cover with plastic agricultural film, strengthen arch-shed seedbed management, ventilate in time, harden the seedlings, and when the seedlings are 3cm high, open by day and cover by night, gradually remove the arch shed, weed in time, water, and promote robust growth of the young seedlings. After autumn or the following spring, the seedlings emerge and are transplanted to the field.
Rhizome propagation: In the seed-retaining planting field, select robust, pest-free plants, dig out the rhizomes in autumn or early spring. If dug in autumn, they need to be properly stored; if dug in early spring, directly cut 5-7cm long small sections for planting, with bud sections of 2-3 nodes. Then treat the wounds with plant ash, and after they are slightly dry, plant immediately. Spring planting is carried out in early April. On the prepared bed surface, open horizontal furrows at a row spacing of 25cm, with a furrow depth of 8-10cm. Place the seed roots with bud eyes facing upward, and place them along the furrow. Place one section flat every 10-12cm. Cover with fine fertile soil 5-6cm thick. Press firmly. For fields with poor soil moisture, water thoroughly once after planting. 3. Seedling raising and transplanting: Generally in northern regions, transplanting time is mostly in early April. On the prepared planting plot, dig holes at a row spacing of 30cm and a plant spacing of 15cm, with a hole depth of 15cm. Loosen and level the bottom of the hole, apply base fertilizer 3000kg/mu. Then plant the raised seedlings into the holes. 2 plants per hole, cover with soil and press firmly. Water thoroughly once. Then seal the holes again to ensure the survival rate.
Next, look at field management
1. Intertillage and weeding. During the growth period of Polygonatum plants, intertillage and weeding should be carried out frequently. Each time, shallow hoeing is appropriate to avoid damaging the roots and promote strong plants.
2. Reasonable topdressing. Each year, combine topdressing with intertillage, applying 1000-1500kg per mu of high-quality human and livestock manure each time. Before winter each year, apply 1200-1500kg per mu of high-quality farmyard manure again, and mix in 50kg of superphosphate. 50kg of cake fertilizer. After mixing evenly, apply in furrows, then water, to accelerate root formation and growth.
3. Timely drainage and irrigation. Polygonatum likes moisture and fears drought. The field should often remain moist. In arid climate, water in time, but in the rainy season, prevent water accumulation and drain in time to avoid root rot.
4. Remove flowers. The flowering and fruiting period of Polygonatum lasts a long time, and each stem node axil produces many umbels and fruits, causing a large consumption of nutrients and affecting rhizome growth. For this reason, flower buds should be removed in time before flower bud formation. This promotes the concentrated transfer of nutrients to the harvested rhizome part and helps increase yield.
5. Disease control: Generally brown round spots appear on the leaves, with purple-red edges, which is leaf spot disease. It mostly occurs in summer and autumn. The pathogen is a fungus of the Deuteromycetes. Control method: focus on prevention. In summer, spray with 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb wettable powder at 500-600 times, once every 5-7 days, for 2-3 consecutive times.