Field Management Measures and Technical Key Points for Salvia miltiorrhiza Cultivation
When it comes to Salvia miltiorrhiza, I think everyone is very familiar with it. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a relatively common and also relatively commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. Many people should know the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Precisely because the market demand for Salvia miltiorrhiza is relatively large, the cultivation range of Salvia miltiorrhiza has gradually increased.
Field management measures for planting Salvia miltiorrhiza
1. Intertillage and weeding: Generally, intertillage and weeding are carried out three times. The first time is in April when the seedlings are about 10 cm tall; the second time is before and after flowering in early June; the third time is in late August. Usually, weeds should be removed as soon as they appear.
2. Topdressing: During the growth period, topdressing is needed three times, which can be carried out in combination with intertillage, weeding and irrigation. The first time is when Salvia miltiorrhiza turns green again, applying 5 kg of urea per 667 sq m in furrows; the second time is after pruning the first inflorescence, applying 50 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer per 667 sq m; the third time is in August to September, spraying 0.65 kg of trace element fertilizers such as manganese, boron, zinc and iron on the leaves.
3. Irrigation and drainage: May to July is the vigorous growth period of Salvia miltiorrhiza, when the water requirement is relatively large. In case of drought, water should be released from the furrow for seepage irrigation or sprinkler irrigation in a timely manner; flooding irrigation is prohibited. In continuous rainy weather, when water accumulates in the soil, drainage should be carried out in a timely manner.
4. Bud removal and seedling control: When buds appear on the main axis and lateral branches of Salvia miltiorrhiza, the buds should be cut off in a timely manner to promote root development.
5. Pest and disease control: The main diseases of Salvia miltiorrhiza include root rot, leaf spot, and root-knot nematode disease. To prevent and control Salvia miltiorrhiza diseases, crop rotation should be implemented. The same plot should not be planted with Salvia miltiorrhiza for more than 2 cycles, and it is best to rotate with gramineous crops. For root rot and leaf spot during the onset period, use 50% carbendazim 800-fold solution or 70% thiophanate-methyl 1000-fold solution to irrigate the roots, 250 ml per plant, once every 7 to 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive times; alternatively, use 70% thiophanate-methyl 500-fold solution or 75% chlorothalonil 600-fold solution sprayed once every 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive times, paying attention to spraying the base of the stems. The main insect pests of Salvia miltiorrhiza include white grubs and wireworms. When they occur in large numbers, use 50% phoxim emulsion 1000- to 1500-fold solution or 90% trichlorfon 1000-fold solution to irrigate the roots, 50 to 100 ml per plant.
Propagation methods of Salvia miltiorrhiza
1. Root division propagation: The Sichuan production area mostly adopts root division propagation. Salvia miltiorrhiza used as planting stock is generally left in the field, and is dug and planted as it is needed. Select robust, red-colored, pest-free annual lateral roots about 0.3 cm in diameter and plant them in February to March. They can also be selected and planted during harvest in November. Plant in holes at a row spacing of 30-45 cm and a plant spacing of 25-30 cm, with a hole depth of 3-4 cm, and apply pig manure and urine at 1500-2000 kg per mu. When planting, break the selected root strips into 4-6 cm long root segments, breaking and planting at the same time, with the root strips facing upward, planting 1-2 segments per hole. Cover with soil immediately after planting, generally to a thickness of about 1.5 cm. According to production practice, using the head and tail of the root for planting results in earlier emergence, while the middle section emerges later; therefore, they should be planted separately to facilitate field management. Lignified mother roots used as planting stock have poor sprouting ability and low yield, so they are not suitable for use. When planting by root division, attention should be paid to preventing freezing, and rice straw can be covered for warmth.
2. Cutting propagation: North China and Jiangsu-Zhejiang regions mostly adopt cutting propagation. Generally in North China in June to July, and in Jiangsu and Zhejiang in April to May, take the aboveground stems of Salvia miltiorrhiza, cut them into 10-15 cm small sections, remove the lower leaves, cut off 1/2 of the upper leaves, and insert them as they are cut. On a prepared seedbed, open shallow furrows at a row spacing of 20 cm and a plant spacing of 10 cm, then insert the cuttings obliquely along the furrows, burying the cuttings 6 cm in soil. After cutting, water and shade them. When the regenerated roots grow to about 3 cm, they can be transplanted into the field. Some also directly plant split plant strips with roots, paying attention to watering, and they can also survive.
3. Seed propagation
① Seedling raising and transplanting: In the Beijing area in March, carry out drilling, cover with 0.3 cm of soil, water after sowing, cover with plastic film, and keep the soil moist. Seedlings emerge in about 15 days. In the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area, when the seeds mature in June, sow immediately after harvesting, with soil covering just enough to cover the seeds, and cover with grass after sowing to retain moisture. Transplant to the field in October.
② Direct seeding: In North China, sow in mid-April, by drilling or hole sowing. For hole sowing, the row and plant spacing are the same as the root division method, sowing 5-10 seeds per hole. For drilling, the furrow depth is about 1 cm, covering with 0.6-1 cm of soil, and the sowing rate is about 0.5 kg per mu. In case of drought, water thoroughly before sowing. Seedlings emerge half a month after sowing. When the seedlings are 6 cm tall, thin and finalize the seedlings.
Field management of Salvia miltiorrhiza
1. Intertillage and weeding: In root division propagation plots, because the soil covering is somewhat thick, emergence is slow. Generally in April when seedlings begin to emerge, inspect the seedlings. If the soil is compacted or the soil covering is relatively thick and affects emergence, promptly scrape open the soil covering of the holes to promote emergence. During the growth period, carry out intertillage and weeding 3 times: the 1st time in May when the seedlings are 10-12 cm tall, the 2nd time in June, and the 3rd time in August.
2. Fertilization: During the growth period, in combination with intertillage and weeding, apply topdressing 2-3 times, using 1000-2000 kg of decomposed manure, 10-15 kg of superphosphate, or 25-50 kg of cake fertilizer per mu, any of which is acceptable.
3. Drainage and irrigation: Pay attention to drainage in the two seasons to prevent waterlogging. During the emergence period and seedling stage, if the soil is dry, irrigate or water in a timely manner.
4. Bud removal: Except for plants retained for seed production, flower buds must be removed in stages to favor root growth.
Efficacy and effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza
[Nature and flavor] Bitter in taste, slightly cold.
[Meridian entry] Heart and liver meridians.
[Efficacy] Activates blood and removes stasis, unblocks meridians and relieves pain, clears the heart and relieves restlessness, cools blood and disperses abscesses. Used for symptoms such as chest impediment and heart pain, epigastric and hypochondriac pain, abdominal masses and accumulations, heat impediment pain, vexation and insomnia, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, and sores and swellings with pain.
1. Blood activation: Salvia miltiorrhiza can dilate coronary arteries, increase coronary flow, improve myocardial ischemia and infarction and cardiac function, regulate heart rhythm, and can also dilate peripheral blood vessels, improve microcirculation, shorten the recovery period of red blood cells and hemoglobin, increase reticulocytes, promote tissue repair, and accelerate fracture healing.
2. Thrombosis prevention: Salvia miltiorrhiza has the effects of anticoagulation, promoting fibrinolysis, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and inhibiting thrombus formation.
3. Liver protection: Salvia miltiorrhiza can inhibit or reduce liver cell degeneration, necrosis and inflammatory reactions, promote liver cell regeneration, and has anti-fibrotic effects. In addition, it has inhibitory effects on various bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
4. Anti-tumor: Salvia miltiorrhiza can have an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system and has anti-tumor effects.
5. Blood lipid reduction: Salvia miltiorrhiza can significantly reduce the area of aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation, and serum total cholesterol and triglycerides are both reduced to a certain extent. It can inhibit the rise in blood lipids in rabbits on a high-fat diet. Through research, it has been found that tanshinol can also inhibit the synthesis of endogenous cholesterol in cells.
Traditional Chinese medicine has thousands of years of culture and history in our country. The reason why traditional Chinese medicine has not been replaced by others for thousands of years is naturally because it has its unique effects. People who have used traditional Chinese medicine should be very clear that when treating diseases, traditional Chinese medicine has few side effects and can cure from the root of the disease.