How to Grow Isatis Root (Banlangen)? Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial
Isatis root, also known as woad (Isatis indigotica) or blue indigo, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that we are all familiar with. It is mainly used to treat symptoms such as colds, fever, and sore throat, and was often taken in childhood. The market demand for Isatis root is enormous, with broad market prospects, and it is found throughout China. As demand increases, its cultivation area is also expanding. Come along with the editor to learn about its cultivation techniques.
1. Site Selection and Fertilization
Isatis root is a biennial herb. In the first year it grows in clusters close to the ground, and in the second year it begins to bolt and set seed. It prefers a warm climate, is cold-tolerant, and is afraid of waterlogging. Therefore, when planting, choose deep soil that is loose and fertile, well-drained sandy soil, or soil rich in humus. Clear the plot of weeds and crop residues, and in combination with plowing, apply 3000 kg of farmyard manure per mu. After raking fine and leveling, make beds or ridges.
2. Sowing
In May, collect mature seeds, dry them in the shade, and store them for sowing the following year. Before sowing, soak the seeds in 40-degree warm water for 3-4 hours, then remove them and mix with plant ash or other agents before sowing. Choose late April for sowing. Open furrows 2 cm deep on the bed surface or ridges, reasonably control plant and row spacing, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, then cover with soil and firm it down. Water to keep soil moisture content at 60%-70%. Generally, seedlings emerge after one week.
3. Seedling Stage Management
When the seedlings grow to 4-5 cm, thin them. When thinning, combine with loosening the soil and weeding. Control the plant spacing at 3-4 cm. After thinning, the soil should not be too wet, which encourages the roots to grow downward in search of water, benefiting root growth. In the later growth stage, keep the soil moist at all times to promote nutrient uptake by the seedlings and rapid growth. During the rainy season, take measures to drain water and prevent waterlogging, so that excessive standing water does not cause root rot.
4. Field Management
Throughout the entire growth period, cultivate and weed 3 times. The first is at thinning time, generally loosening the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm. At this time, do not use herbicides for weeding; manual weeding is recommended. The second is at the end of June, when the soil is loosened to a depth of 20-25 cm. The third is at the end of September. For the latter two weedings, if using herbicides, it is recommended to use agents with lower phytotoxicity. After each leaf cutting, apply a topdressing once to help the plants recover as quickly as possible. Generally, each time apply 40-50 kg of ammonium sulfate and 10 kg of calcium-phosphorus compound fertilizer per mu. It is recommended to water immediately after fertilizing to dilute the fertilizer concentration and speed up plant absorption.
The above are the cultivation techniques for Isatis root. We hope they help you. To learn more about medicinal herb cultivation, please follow us.