What are the seedling-raising and cultivation techniques for kudzu (Pueraria lobata), and what are its effects and functions?

As the Chinese medicine market has grown better in recent years, the cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs has also been vigorously promoted, and many regions have even treated it as a project for getting rich. So below we introduce the seedling-raising and cultivation techniques of kudzu, one of the Chinese medicinal herbs, and also analyze its effects and functions so that everyone can understand.

I. Kudzu seedling-raising and cultivation techniques

(1) Kudzu seedling-raising techniques

1. Kudzu seedbed preparation: choose a mountain plot or garden plot that is sheltered from the wind and faces the sun, with sandy soil and no harm from livestock and poultry, as the seedbed. Prepare the seedbed land into ridges 15-20 cm high and 60-100 cm wide, with no limit on length. Apply 1.5-2.5 kg of decomposed barnyard manure or farmyard manure per square meter. Plow deeply and rake level, with the middle of the seedbed slightly raised, and ditches on both sides 20-30 cm wide.

2. Kudzu seed arrangement: before arranging the seeds, the seedbed must be fully moistened. Take the selected kudzu vine stems of fine varieties, use one branch bud as one seed, cut the bud nodes into small sections 6-10 cm long, and scatter them on the prepared seedbed. To avoid overlap, cover them with fine soil 2-3 mm thick, in principle reaching a state where they are faintly visible, then scatter some decomposed barnyard manure, and cover with a layer of rice straw. Use bamboo pieces or small bamboo strips about 2 m long to insert into the seedbed in an arch shape, inserting one every 35 cm. Cover well with agricultural film, fully covering the seedbed into an arch shape, and press the surroundings firmly with soil.

3. Kudzu seedbed management: because the temperature during the seedling-raising period is relatively low, the water consumption of the seed stems is not large. If the ridge surface is dry after about 10 days, water once. After the planted roots sprout branches, the water requirement should be appropriately increased, watering about once every 3 days to keep the seedbed fully moist. The seedbed temperature is suitable at about 20°C. When the temperature reaches above 30°C, the film should be uncovered for ventilation or water sprayed to regulate it, so that the temperature is balanced. When the seed ears sprout branches, uncover the covering rice straw to avoid direct sunlight, and provide appropriate shade at noon on sunny days to prevent scorching. When the seed ears grow tender branches, unfold 3 leaves, and reach a length of 5 cm, seedling lifting with soil can be carried out. The seedling lifting action must be gentle to avoid injury.

(2) Kudzu cultivation techniques

1. Kudzu land selection and land preparation: to cultivate kudzu artificially and obtain high yield, the first thing is to select good land. First, land used for sweet potato or soybean can be converted for planting. Second, choose sandy loam soil with a relatively thick soil layer and good drainage for planting. Land preparation and ridging begin in mid-February. Before land preparation, apply 500 kg of barnyard manure, 500 kg of stove ash, 50 kg of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate fertilizer, or 200 kg of compound fertilizer per mu. During land preparation, as with sweet potato ridges, the ridges are 60-70 cm high, and the ridge length is determined by convenience of land operations.

2. Reasonable close planting of kudzu: from the end of February to mid-March, choose cloudy weather without strong wind for transplanting. Before transplanting, the seedbed should be watered thoroughly so that seedlings can be lifted with soil. Plant 500-700 plants per mu, with a plant spacing of about one meter. Before planting seedlings, first place the seedlings on the ridges according to the plant spacing, then dig small holes, put the seedlings into the holes, cover with 2 cm of fine soil, and press the soil firm with both hands.

3. Kudzu seedling replacement and fertilization: after the seedlings are transplanted, appropriately use diluted human and livestock manure water to settle the roots, and pay attention to inspection, replacing dead seedlings in time when found. When the seedlings grow to about 30 cm, they must be stimulated twice, and 0.3-0.5% urea water can be sprayed, once every 15 days, after which appropriate topdressing can be applied.

4. Intertillage and weeding: when the kudzu vines grow to 1-2 m, intertillage and weeding are needed. Although kudzu has strong stress resistance, some diseases and insect pests will inevitably appear, especially in the key season for tuber growth from June to August. To maintain vigorous leaves, carry out residue-free drug control when necessary or use lime powder for control.

5. Kudzu harvesting and seed preservation: kudzu can be dug in the same year or in the second year. Generally, the starch content is highest when dug from November to December. When digging, dig the large ones and leave the small ones, so that with one investment, there are long-term benefits. Kudzu is mainly propagated asexually, and for seed preservation, stout and pure plant vines can also be selected as seed stems for the second year. Generally, from 1.5 m above the root crown and upward can all be used as seed stems.

II. Kudzu effects and functions

1. Kudzu can certain improve the regenerative capacity of liver cells, restore normal liver function, promote bile secretion, and prevent fat accumulation in the liver.

2. Kudzu can promote metabolism, strengthen the liver's detoxification function, and prevent alcohol damage to the liver.

3. Kudzu has a certain effect on coronary arteriosclerosis formed by high blood lipids. By improving the state of myocardial ischemia, it prevents and treats cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction.

4. For cerebral arteriosclerosis formed by high blood lipids, kudzu prevents and treats cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral infarction, hemiplegia, and vascular dementia by improving the state of cerebral ischemia.

5. Kudzu strengthens the autoimmune function of liver and gallbladder cells and resists viral invasion.

6. Kudzu can strengthen the constitution, resist aging, and prolong life, and it also has a certain effect on cancer prevention and anti-cancer.

7. Women who regularly take kudzu powder have a certain beauty and skincare effect.

III. Kudzu eating methods

Osmanthus kudzu powder soup: 5 g osmanthus sugar, 50 g kudzu

1. First mix the kudzu powder with an appropriate amount of cool boiled water, then pour boiling water over the kudzu powder to dissolve it, making it become crystal clear and transparent.

2. Add osmanthus sugar and stir evenly, and it is ready.

Kudzu powder porridge: 200 g kudzu powder, 300 g millet

1. Soak the millet in clean water overnight, scoop it out the next day, and mix it evenly with the kudzu powder.

2. Cook porridge in the usual way, and add seasonings as appropriate after the porridge is done.

Kudzu powder rice: 200 g kudzu powder, 500 g sorghum millet rice

1. First wet the rice with boiling water, add the kudzu powder and mix evenly.

2. Add an appropriate amount of fermented black bean juice water, and cook thoroughly over high heat. After cooking, mix appropriately with seasonings and it is ready to eat.

Hot and sour kudzu powder slices: kudzu powder slices, celery leaves, cooked peanuts, garlic, monosodium glutamate, vinegar, salt, vegetable oil, sesame oil, chili powder

1. First boil the kudzu powder slices soft with boiling water, then blanch the celery leaves in water.

2. Cut the cooked peanuts and garlic into small granules, add a little sesame oil, vinegar, salt, and monosodium glutamate, and put the garlic granules, peanuts, and chili powder together.

3. Heat vegetable oil in another pan, pour it over the garlic granules and chili powder, mix evenly, and it is ready to eat.