Coptis chinensis cultivation techniques and per-mu returns, plus common pest and disease control methods

AbstractSelecting a good forest plot: choose a forest plot with heavy shade. Preparing the shade structure: shade density of 70%-80%. Land preparation and bed making: ditch width 23cm, depth 10cm. Transplanting: select 2-year-old seedlings with more than 12 leaves for transplanting. Pest and disease control: use lime sulfur mixture to control powdery mildew, and for pests such as white grubs and mole crickets, use poisoned bait to trap and kill them. Per-mu returns: each mu yields 100kg of dried Coptis chinensis rhizome finished product, at a price of 115 yuan/jin, giving per-mu returns of 23,000 yuan.

1. Selecting a good forest plot

It is necessary to choose a forest plot with relatively heavy shade. For natural forest tree species, evergreen trees that do not shed leaves all year round are preferable, and short trees about 3.3m tall are preferable. For artificial Chinese fir forest plots, connected tree crowns and a tree height of about 3.3m are preferable, with a slope of 20°-25°. Soil rich in organic matter, with deep humus, loose on top and firm below, is best; heavy, sticky dead yellow mud and white loach mud should not be chosen.

2. Preparing the shade structure

For natural forest, all dead branches, thatch grass and small trees in the forest plot need to be cut down, while shrubs and short trees are kept. At the same time, remove small branches less than 2 meters above the ground. Shade density should be maintained between 70%-80%. Generally, for artificially cultivated Chinese fir forest, young forest land needs to be selected, and it is basically enough for the branches to connect. If sky gaps appear in some places, branches need to be inserted around the Coptis chinensis to help provide shade.

3. Land preparation and bed making

1. Before land preparation, use a wooden rake to rake fallen leaves, residual branches and stones from the topsoil out of the forest. Bamboo roots, small tree roots and thatch grass roots in the forest must be removed completely. At the same time, note that when digging the soil, the tree roots must not be damaged, and deep digging is not allowed.

2. For artificially cultivated Chinese fir forest, only dig shallowly once, then pick out weed roots and stones. If there is a lack of soil around the trees, soil also needs to be banked up, and the roots must not be left exposed. Then open ditches and make beds, opening straight ditches from top to bottom, with a ditch width of 23cm and depth of 10cm, and the soil at the bottom of the ditch is lifted onto the beds on both sides.

4. Transplanting

Generally, for Coptis chinensis seedlings planted under forest, 2-year-old seedlings with more than 12 leaves need to be selected. If it is evergreen tree and coniferous forest land, transplanting can be carried out at Qingming Festival, while for broadleaf forest land, transplanting must wait until the leaves have grown new foliage.

5. Pest and disease control

The main disease of Coptis chinensis is powdery mildew. It is necessary to reduce shade density and appropriately increase light, and lime sulfur mixture can be used for control. The main pests include white grubs and mole crickets, which can be trapped and killed with poisoned bait. In early spring, muntjacs and golden pheasants damage flower stalks and seeds, so fencing is needed and manual capture should be strengthened, which helps reduce disease damage.

6. Per-mu returns

1. Coptis chinensis can only be harvested in the 5th year after transplanting. It is a medicinal plant with a relatively long growth period. The suitable harvest period for Coptis chinensis is early October and late November before freezing, and generally a four-tooth rake can be used to dig out the Coptis chinensis according to row and plant spacing.

2. Then cut off the fibrous roots and leaves. Each mu can produce about 500kg of fresh roots. After the fresh roots are dug out, they can be dried in a kang. During drying, the fire should not be too strong, and they should be turned while being dried until dry. Generally, each mu produces about 100kg of dried Coptis chinensis rhizome finished product. The market price is 115 yuan/jin, and the per-mu returns are 23,000 yuan.