Sophora flavescens planting methods and key techniques, teaching you how to grow Sophora flavescens well

Sophora flavescens, alias Kushen, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family. Its underground rhizome is used medicinally and has the effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, killing insects and promoting urination. Sophora flavescens was originally wild, and is now distributed and cultivated throughout the country, with very strong adaptability. In the Anguo Chinese medicinal materials market it is a commonly used medicinal material variety, with demand increasing year by year and prices rising.

In recent years, wild Sophora flavescens resources have been dug up less and less, and in some places they are almost extinct, while demand has only increased. Around 2000, the price of Sophora flavescens was 4-5 yuan/kg; after 2006 the price rose continuously, reaching 8-10 yuan/kg in 2009, and 12-24 yuan/kg in early 2014. Medicinal material markets everywhere purchase it year-round, in unlimited quantities, and the planting prospects are good.

Planting Sophora flavescens requires an investment of about 500 yuan per mu for seeds, fertilizer, water and electricity. The yield of dry product per mu is 700-800 kg, with a comprehensive benefit of 5000-8000 yuan per mu, and an average annual income of more than 2000 yuan. The seed yield of Sophora flavescens is about 100 kg, and the demand for Sophora flavescens seeds is constantly increasing, with an income of about 1000 yuan per mu from selling seeds.

Sophora flavescens prefers a warm climate and is a deep-rooted plant. It is not strict about soil requirements and can generally be cultivated in ordinary soil, but loam or sandy loam with deep, fertile soil and convenient drainage and irrigation is best. Hillsides, wasteland and sandy beaches can also be planted. When planting, apply fully decomposed compost or barnyard manure per mu, break it up finely and spread it evenly, or add 50 kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, then plow deeply, harrow level and rake fine, and make beds.

Sophora flavescens is propagated by seed, in the same way as legume crops. It can be drilled in rows, or broadcast on wasteland. There are spring sowing and autumn sowing; autumn sowing is before the ground freezes, and spring sowing is best from March to mid-May. For flatland sowing, use 4 kg of Sophora flavescens seed per mu; for broadcasting on barren hills, 5 kg per mu is suitable. Open shallow furrows at a row spacing of 30-45 cm, sow the seeds evenly, cover with 1-2 cm of soil, water, and keep the soil moist; seedlings emerge in about 20 days. Before sowing, the seeds can be soaked in water until swollen to help germination. After emergence, the herbicide pendimethalin can be sprayed. When seedlings are about 10 cm tall, thin them so they are not crowded.

In dry weather and after fertilizing, irrigate promptly to keep the soil moist. In the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot. During the seedling stage, carry out intertillage, weeding and earthing up, keeping the field free of weeds and the soil loose and moist, so as to favor the growth of Sophora flavescens. Sophora flavescens grows vigorously, with a plant height of about 1 m, and its stems are upright, able to compete with weeds, remaining lush and green throughout its life.

Sophora flavescens is generally harvested after growing for 2-3 years. In late autumn or early spring, dig out the rhizome and dry it in the sun to obtain the finished product.