How to Grow Chinese Milk Vetch? A Detailed Guide to Key Cultivation Techniques

Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus) is a biennial herb in the legume family, with relatively tall plants that can reach 35 cm. Chinese milk vetch is mainly distributed in our country, growing in shady and moist areas. Chinese milk vetch is a very important nectar source plant, usually grown as green manure and forage. However, the seeds of Chinese milk vetch are a type of traditional Chinese medicinal material, with effects such as tonifying qi and securing essence, and clearing heat and promoting urination. It is cultivated in various regions of our country. Today we will discuss the cultivation techniques for Chinese milk vetch.

1. Timely fertilization

Fertilization for Chinese milk vetch is mainly based on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with an appropriate addition of nitrogen fertilizer. Different fertilizers are applied at different time periods. Generally, in late autumn, calcium phosphate and manure water are applied to promote early root nodule formation and early seedling development; around the winter solstice, potassium fertilizer or plant ash is applied to enhance cold resistance; after the beginning of spring, urea is applied to promote the growth of branches and leaves.

2. Timely green manuring

Chinese milk vetch is generally turned under as green manure during the flowering period, about ten-odd days before the rice transplanting period. For large-scale cultivation, an appropriate amount of lime is evenly applied per mu to promote plant decomposition and neutralize acidity.

3. Timely watering

Chinese milk vetch prefers a warm and humid environment, especially requiring sufficient moisture during the growing period, but care must be taken to avoid waterlogging. Therefore, controlling the amount of watering is crucial. In addition, frequent spraying with water is needed to keep the environment moist.

4. Timely and appropriate sowing

Since Chinese milk vetch prefers cool conditions, sowing can be carried out about twenty-odd days after the late rice harvest in late autumn. When sowing, note that the seeds need to undergo soaking, drying, and germination promotion treatment. Only in this way can the germination rate be improved.

5. Mixing with rhizobia

When the Chinese milk vetch seeds have sprouted and turned white during germination promotion, mix them with rhizobia, that is, use cold thin rice porridge soup mixed with the bacterial strain to dress the seeds.

6. Strengthening maintenance and management

For large-scale commercial cultivation of Chinese milk vetch, after the late rice harvest, ditches should be properly opened, including field-surrounding ditches, bed ditches, and cross-shaped drainage ditches, to keep the soil moist while avoiding waterlogging. In addition, attention should be paid to the prevention and control of pests and diseases. For powdery mildew, carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl should be used; for aphids and similar pests, dimethoate should be used; for armyworms, trichlorfon or rice vinegar and saccharin should be used. In addition, care should be taken to prevent damage from livestock.