Detailed Explanation of Various Cultivation Techniques for Saposhnikovia divaricata

(1). Site selection: Saposhnikovia divaricata does not have very strict requirements for soil, but a high, dry, sunny plot should be selected, and loose, fertile, deep sandy loam with good drainage is most suitable. Clay, waterlogged low-lying land, strongly acidic or heavily saline-alkaline land is not suitable for planting.

(2). Land preparation: Saposhnikovia divaricata is a deep-rooted plant, and in the second year the roots can reach 50-70 cm in length. Therefore, in autumn the land should be deep-plowed to more than 40 cm, and in early spring the land should be harrowed fine, with root stubble and debris removed, to create good basic conditions for the growth of Saposhnikovia divaricata.

(3). Fertilization: To meet the nutrient requirements for the growth and development of Saposhnikovia divaricata over many years, sufficient base fertilizer must be applied, with 3000-4000 kg of high-quality farmyard manure per mu, adding 20-30 kg of superphosphate or 8-10 kg of diammonium phosphate. It is best to apply it to the soil surface before deep plowing in autumn, and then plow it into the plow layer. At the latest, it must be applied before land preparation and bed making. Fertilization should be uniform.

Sowing techniques for Saposhnikovia divaricata

①. Seedling-raising field: When using a plastic tunnel in early spring for seedling raising, the time should be 7-10 days earlier than direct seeding in the open field, because covering with the tunnel has the effect of preserving moisture and increasing temperature. The sowing method is mainly broadcasting.

②. Open-field direct seeding: This should be carried out in early spring when the temperature reaches above 15°C, in early to mid-April, and ridge (row) sowing is preferable.

(3). Seed treatment and sowing: Soak selected good seeds in warm water 3-5 days before sowing. Soak in 35°C warm water for [missing duration] hours, then soak in 40-50°C warm water for 8-12 hours, so that the seeds fully absorb water to facilitate germination. During soaking, stir while sprinkling the seeds, remove the shriveled seeds and impurities floating on the water surface, take out the plump seeds that have sunk to the bottom after soaking, dry them slightly, and then sow.

For broadcasting in a seedling-raising field under a plastic tunnel, prepare the bed surface well, spray it thoroughly with water, then sow the seeds manually, using 2.5-3.0 kg of seed per mu. After broadcasting evenly, sift 2 cm of moist new soil over them with a bamboo sieve or iron sieve to preserve moisture, cover the seeds completely, then insert arches and cover with film.

For open-field flat-bed seedling raising, drilling is used, with manual hoeing to open furrows, with row spacing of 15-20 cm and furrow depth of 2-3 cm (slightly shallower for loam, slightly deeper for sandy soil). Sow the seeds evenly in the furrows with a dibbler, cover with 1-1.5 cm of soil, and after it dries slightly, press it down to preserve moisture.

For direct seeding in production fields, the sowing method is basically the same as for open-field seedling raising, but the row spacing should be increased to 25-30 cm, and the seeding rate per mu should be reduced to 1.0-1.5 kg.

Bed-making techniques for Saposhnikovia divaricata

Saposhnikovia divaricata can be directly sown with seeds, or propagated by seedling transplanting. In production practice, it has been found that the method of raising seedlings in the first year and transplanting in the second spring can achieve multiple benefits: saving seeds, facilitating management, and saving land. Especially in places carrying out the construction of economic gullies (slopes), where Chinese medicinal herbs such as Saposhnikovia divaricata are developed as ecological economic plants, raising seedlings in the first year overcomes the drawback of difficulty in direct seeding and seedling raising on dry slope land. When there is sufficient rain in autumn, seedlings can be lifted and transplanted, or transplanted with water in the following spring, with a high survival rate and good ecological construction results, and it is well worth vigorously promoting. Where conditions permit, root segment propagation can be used, utilizing root segment sprouting and rhizomes, cutting 5 cm long root segments, opening furrows in early spring, and planting the root segments. Use 35-40 kg of root segments per mu. After planting, cover with soil, water, and preserve moisture.

(1). Bed making: There are two types of bed seedling raising: open-field direct seedling raising and protected plastic tunnel seedling raising, which can be selected according to local conditions.

①. Open-field direct seeding bed: The length and width of the bed surface are generally determined by the terrain conditions, adapting to local conditions and following the principle of convenience for management. The bed is required to be level, with straight ridges and firm texture.

②. Tunnel bed: Medium tunnel: bed width 2.4 m, bed length 15-20 m. Small tunnel: bed width 1.2 m, bed length 15-20 m, bed spacing 40 cm, all made with walking furrows 10-15 cm below ground level.