Detailed Explanation of the Latest Scientific Cultivation Techniques for Cassia Seed

1. Site selection and land preparation

Around “Spring Equinox”, dig holes in front of and behind houses or along roadsides. Deep plow 25cm, apply 1OOO-3000kg of barnyard manure per mu, crush it fine and spread it evenly, turn the fertilizer into the soil, rake fine and level, make 1m-wide beds, ready for sowing.

2. Propagation method: Propagate by seed.

3. Select disease-free, large, plump seeds, soak them in 50 degrees C water for 24 hours, and remove the floating shriveled seeds and insect-damaged seeds. Take out the plump seeds, air-dry the surface moisture, and they are ready for sowing. The sowing period is during “Qingming” and “Guyu”. For drilling, in the prepared bed open furrows about 3cm deep at a row spacing of 45cm, scatter the seeds in the furrows, cover with soil, and press lightly. If the land is dry before sowing, water the bed first, and sow after the water seeps down. The seeding rate per mu is 1-1.5kg; for planting in front of and behind houses or on scattered land, hole sowing is generally used, with 2-3 seeds per hole. The flowers are mostly golden yellow and are also ornamental small flowers.

3. Field management of cassia seed

(1) Thinning and loosening soil:

When cassia seedlings are 6-1Ocm tall, thin out weak seedlings to a plant spacing of 15cm. When the seedlings are 15cm tall, thin to a plant spacing of 45cm, and at the same time loosen the soil. When the seedlings are about 30cm tall, appropriately deepen the intertillage to keep the soil loose and free of weeds. After the upper branches of the plants close the rows, stop loosening and intertillage. When loosening the soil, take care to bank soil around the plant roots, gradually forming small ridges to prevent them from being blown down by strong winds.

(2) Topdressing and watering: Generally, seedlings emerge 6-7 days after sowing. If drought occurs after emergence, water appropriately; after final thinning, except for watering after topdressing, generally no watering is needed. After final thinning, carry out the first topdressing: mix barnyard manure (amount not limited) with urea, spread it between rows or beside holes; shallow hoe once to cover the fertilizer with soil. The second topdressing is around “Start of Autumn”, applying a small amount of chemical fertilizer such as urea or ammonium sulfate per mu, applied between rows. When topdressing, be careful not to scatter chemical fertilizer onto the stems and leaves of the plants. Water immediately after topdressing. From July to August, if plants that do not flower are found, remove them promptly to avoid consuming soil fertility.

(3) Pest and disease control: Cassia has relatively few pests and diseases; common ones include:

1) Gray leaf spot: damages leaves, producing brown lesions on the leaves. Control method: in the early stage of disease, spray 50% Tuzet 800-1000 times solution or 65% zineb 500 times solution.

2) Ring spot: a disease caused by a fungus, and leaves, stems, and pods can all be affected. The affected parts have lesions with indistinct concentric rings, and later dense small black grains form. Control method: in the early stage of disease, use 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture; in severe cases, spray 0.3 degree Baume lime sulfur mixture.

3) Aphids: more likely to occur at the seedling stage; can be controlled with 40% dimethoate 2000 times solution or with 1:10 tobacco and lime water.

4. Breeding good varieties of cassia seed

The small cassia variety is often selected for planting to produce cassia seed. Seeds in the pods vary in size and in degree of plumpness. Mainly select large, plump, disease-free and pest-free seeds as seed.

Harvesting and processing

Around “Cold Dew”, harvest when the pods turn yellow-brown. Cut down the whole plant, dry it in the sun, thresh out the seeds, remove the fruit skins and impurities, and it is ready for medicinal use.

Cassia seed is considered best when the seeds are plump, dry, yellow-brown, and free of sand and impurities.