Scientific Cultivation Techniques and Planting Methods for Sophora flavescens
Sophora flavescens, also known as Kushen, Kushen (bitter bone), Niushen, or Chuanshen, is the dried root of the leguminous plant Sophora flavescens Ait. It has the effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, killing parasites, and promoting urination, and is used to treat bloody dysentery due to heat toxin, bloody stool from intestinal wind, jaundice with urinary retention, red and white vaginal discharge, vulvar swelling and itching, pediatric pneumonia, malnutrition with accumulation, acute tonsillitis, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, eczema, weeping sores, skin itching, scabies and leprosy, pudendal sores with damp itching, scrofula, burns, and so on. External use can treat trichomonal vaginitis. It is distributed and cultivated throughout the country. In Shandong, it is mainly produced in Weifang, Linyi, Zibo, Zaozhuang, Jinan, Yantai, Tai'an, and other places.
1. Biological Characteristics
Sophora flavescens grows wild on sunny spots of mountain slopes and grasslands, plains, hills, roadsides, sandy land, and red soil. It prefers a warm climate. It has low requirements for soil and can be cultivated in general soils; however, loam or sandy loam with deep, fertile soil and convenient drainage and irrigation is best. 2. Cultivation
2.1 Site Selection, Land Preparation, and Fertilization
Sophora flavescens is a deep-rooted plant, so it is suitable to choose clay loam, sandy loam, or clayey loam with deep, fertile soil, convenient drainage and irrigation, and a sunny aspect for cultivation. Apply 3000 kg of fully decomposed compost or barnyard manure per mu, break it up finely and spread it evenly, plow deeply 40-50 cm, harrow level and finely, and make high beds 1.3 m wide.
2.2 Propagation Methods Seed propagation:
From July to September, when the Sophora flavescens pods turn dark brown, harvest them, sun-dry them, thresh them, winnow off impurities, and store them in a dry place for later use. Seed treatment is required before sowing. Method: soak the seeds in warm water at 40-50°C for 10-12 hours, then remove and drain slightly before sowing; alternatively, stratify with moist sand (mix seeds and moist sand at 1:3) for 20-30 days before sowing. In addition, treating with 95%-98% concentrated sulfuric acid for 60 minutes can also increase the seed germination rate. From late March to early April, on the prepared high beds, open holes 2-3 cm deep at a row spacing of 50-60 cm and a plant spacing of 30-40 cm, sow 4-5 treated seeds per hole, cover with fine soil mixed with plant ash, keep the soil moist, and seedlings emerge in 15-20 days. When the seedlings are 5-10 cm tall, thin them, leaving 2 strong seedlings per hole. Seedling raising and transplanting can also be used. Root division propagation:
This can be done in both spring and autumn. Autumn planting is carried out after leaf fall, and spring planting before sprouting. Both spring and autumn cultivation are carried out in conjunction with the harvest of Sophora flavescens. Dig out the mother plant, cut off the thick roots for medicinal use, then according to the number of buds and roots on the mother plant, cut it into several plants with a knife; each plant must have 2-3 roots and buds. Plant the seedlings at the above plant and row spacings, 1 plant per hole. After planting, cover with soil and water thoroughly. 3. Field Management
3.1 Reasonable Drainage and Irrigation
In dry weather and after fertilization, irrigate promptly to keep the soil moist. In the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
3.2 Intertillage and Weeding
During the seedling stage, carry out intertillage, weeding, and hilling to keep the field free of weeds and the soil loose and moist, so as to facilitate the growth of Sophora flavescens.
3.3 Topdressing
On the basis of applying sufficient base fertilizer, topdress 2 times each year: the 1st time in mid-to-late May, applying 2000 kg of diluted manure water per mu; the 2nd time in early-to-mid August, mainly with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. For poor plots, appropriately increase the number of fertilizer applications.
3.4 Flower Removal
Except for seed-production plots, promptly cut off the flowering stems to avoid consuming nutrients. 4. Harvesting and Processing
The roots can be dug 2-3 years after planting, after the stems and leaves wither in August-September or before seedlings emerge in March-April. Dig out the whole plant, divide it into single roots according to the natural growth of the roots, remove the rhizome neck and fibrous roots, wash clean of mud and sand, and sun-dry or oven-dry to obtain the product. Cut fresh roots into 1 cm thick round slices or oblique slices, and sun-dry or oven-dry to obtain Sophora flavescens slices.