Detailed Explanation of Chuanxiong Planting Techniques and Management Methods

Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) is a relatively common traditional Chinese medicinal herb, with the functions of activating blood and promoting qi circulation, and dispelling wind and relieving pain. In recent years, the market has been relatively stable, and farmers in production areas are highly enthusiastic about planting it. Let's take a look at Chuanxiong planting techniques below.

1. Site selection and land preparation

For cultivating Chuanxiong, it is advisable to choose soil that faces the sun, has deep soil layers, good drainage, relatively high fertility, and is neutral or slightly acidic. It should not be planted in overly sandy cold sandy soil, yellow mud, white eel mud, or low-lying wet fields. Before planting, remove all weeds and burn them into charcoal for use as fertilizer. After plowing, break up the soil finely and level it. According to the terrain and drainage conditions, make beds 1.6-1.8 m wide.

2. Propagation methods

1. Planting time: Carry out around the Beginning of Autumn and no later than the end of August. If too early, under the influence of high temperatures, the seedlings are prone to withering; if too late, the temperature has already dropped, which is unfavorable for rhizome growth. Planting should be done on sunny days, and it is best to finish planting on the same day.

2. Preparation before planting: Remove all Lingzi (propagation stem segments) that have no buds or damaged buds, whose stem nodes have been bitten by insects, whose node discs carry insects, or whose buds have already sprouted. Then plant them in grades according to the size of the Lingzi.

3. Planting: Open shallow horizontal furrows on the bed surface, with a row spacing of 30-40 cm and a depth of about 3 cm. Then, at a plant spacing of 17-20 cm, place the Lingzi obliquely into the furrow, with the bud head facing upward and slightly pressed firmly. It should not be planted too deep or too shallow; half exposed on the soil surface is sufficient. At the same time, plant two Lingzi at each end between the rows, and plant one more row of Lingzi every 10 rows for use in filling gaps.

4. Post-planting treatment: Cover the node discs of the Lingzi with fine soil manure or a mixture of burnt soil ash and compost. Finally, cover the bed surface with a layer of rice straw to avoid direct sunlight and rain erosion. Use 30-40 kg of Lingzi per mu.

3. Field management

1. Cultivation and weeding: After planting Chuanxiong, cover the Lingzi with screened fine compost or soil manure. About half a month after planting, when the seedlings have emerged uniformly, remove the covering grass, and carry out cultivation and weeding once about every 20 days. At places where seedlings are missing, combine gap filling with cultivation, and carry out the last cultivation and weeding, and earth up around the rhizomes to protect them through winter.

2. Reasonable topdressing: Within 2 months after planting Chuanxiong, concentrate topdressing 3 times, once every 20 days, and the last application is required before Frost's Descent. The fertilization amount per mu is 1.2 tons of farmyard manure, 30 kg of oil cake, 100 kg of plant ash, 25 kg of ammonium sulfate, 40 kg of superphosphate, and 10 kg of potassium sulfate. When the stems and leaves grow rapidly in spring, apply topdressing once more, with the same fertilization amount as before.

4. Pest and disease control

1. Leaf blight: Mostly occurs from May to July. When the disease occurs, brown, irregular spots appear on the leaves, then spread to the whole leaf, causing the leaves of the whole plant to wither and die. In the early stage of the disease, spray 65% zineb 500-fold solution, or 50% Tuzet 1000-fold solution, or 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture for control. Once every 10 days, 3-4 times in a row.

2. Powdery mildew: From late June to July, when high temperature and high humidity occur, the disease is severe. It first occurs on the lower leaves, with grayish-white powdery mildew appearing on the leaves and stems, then gradually spreading upward. In the later stage, small black spots appear on the diseased parts, and in severe cases the stems and leaves turn yellow and die. After harvest, clean the field and burn the remains and diseased leaves in a centralized manner. In the early stage of the disease, spray 25% triadimefon 1500-fold solution, or 50% thiophanate 1000-fold solution, once every 10 days, spraying 2-3 times in a row.

3. Stem node moth: For Chuanxiong stem node moth, during the Lingzi cultivation stage, spray with 80% trichlorfon 100-150-fold aqueous solution, and pay attention to focusing on controlling the first-generation larvae before the second instar. In plain areas, before that, use 5:5:100 tobacco stem, Chinese wingnut leaves, and water, soak together for several days, and then soak the Lingzi for 12-24 hours.

The market price of Chuanxiong is around 20 yuan per jin, and the profit from planting is still relatively high. If conditions permit, you can plant Chuanxiong.