How should Astragalus be managed? Latest management key points

Astragalus, also known as cotton milkvetch, is a very common traditional Chinese medicinal herb in our country, mainly distributed in the northwest and northeast regions. Astragalus can enhance the human body's immune function and has effects such as protecting the liver, promoting diuresis, anti-aging and lowering blood pressure. However, because wild Astragalus has been heavily dug up by people, its numbers have dropped sharply. Therefore, artificial cultivation has now begun, with a wide planting area. So how should it be managed when planting Astragalus? Let's take a look together below!

1. Thinning and final thinning of seedlings

After sowing, once the seedlings emerge evenly, the thinning work should be done well, and it should be carried out as early as possible to prevent the seedlings from affecting each other's growth and competing for nutrients and water. During the seedling stage, thinning should be done at least twice: the first time when the seedlings have grown to about 6 cm tall, and then another thinning when the seedlings are about 11 cm tall. Pay attention to observing the growth of the seedlings. During final thinning, good work should be done to fill gaps where seedlings are missing, filling them with healthy seedlings of the same growth. Do not fill gaps on rainy days, and water promptly after planting. If too many seedlings are missing, it is best to reseed.

2. Cultivation and weeding

Astragalus seedlings grow very slowly. After the seedlings emerge, weeds usually grow quickly, and if they are not managed in time, it is very easy to cause weed infestation. Therefore, cultivation and weeding should be done in time. Cultivation can not only effectively remove weeds, but also improve soil looseness, cut off the soil capillaries, avoid excessive water evaporation, and improve the soil's ability to retain fertilizer and water. Generally, weeding is needed about 3 times a year, depending on the growth of weeds in the field. When cultivating, pay attention to the depth; it must not be too deep, to prevent damage to seedlings and roots.

3. Timely topdressing

Astragalus has a very large demand for nutrients. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer before planting, during the first two years of Astragalus growth, topdressing should be done at least 3 times a year. This ensures that Astragalus's nutritional needs at different growth stages are met. Each topdressing can be carried out together with cultivation and weeding. However, fertilization should not be done during the first cultivation, to avoid fertilizer damage to the seedlings. Each fertilizer application should mainly use fully decomposed farmyard manure. Special attention should be paid to applying wintering fertilizer well to improve the plant's cold resistance. After fertilizing, pay attention to hilling soil to prevent the plants from suffering freezing damage during overwintering.

4. Reasonable watering

At different growth stages, Astragalus does not have very high water requirements, and during the seedling stage its water demand is relatively low. In order to promote the downward growth of Astragalus roots, enhance root growth capacity, and increase yield, under conditions of sufficient soil moisture, watering may be omitted. However, if the soil moisture is poor, then appropriate small drip irrigation should be used, and too much water must not be applied at one time. During the fruiting stage, if in a high-temperature and dry environment, watering should also be done in time. This ensures seed maturity and improves seed quality. When there is too much soil moisture, attention should also be paid to drainage work, reducing humidity to prevent Astragalus root rot and avoid affecting growth.

Astragalus flowering also consumes a certain amount of nutrients. If seeds are not to be kept, we can remove the flower buds and flowers to promote root development. A flower bud inhibitor can be sprayed appropriately to control flower growth, concentrating nutrients in the roots and improving the quality of Astragalus. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you all for reading and supporting.