Latest prices and planting methods for Atractylodes lancea (northern Atractylodes) seeds
Atractylodes lancea (northern Atractylodes) is a type of Atractylodes, also known as spearhead vegetable, Chinese Atractylodes, mountain Atractylodes, etc. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Atractylodes in the Asteraceae family, distributed in the northern regions of China, growing on hillsides, in sparse broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests. Its rhizome is used as medicine and has the effects of drying dampness, resolving turbidity, and relieving pain. Let us take a look at the prices and planting methods for northern Atractylodes seeds!
How much is a jin of northern Atractylodes seeds?
The price of northern Atractylodes seeds is about 200 to 250 yuan per jin, but it varies depending on seed quality, place of origin and market conditions. Northern Atractylodes seeds are of the short-lived type, with a storage life of only 6 months at room temperature; seeds from the previous year cannot be used. Low-temperature storage can extend seed life: stored at a low temperature of 0 to 4 degrees C for 1 year, the seed germination rate can remain above 80%. The minimum germination temperature is 5 to 8 degrees C, the optimum temperature is 10 to 15 degrees C, germination is inhibited above 25 degrees C, and above 45 degrees C almost all seeds become moldy and rot. When propagated by seed, the medicinal crop is harvested after 3 to 4 years of growth.
Sowing methods for northern Atractylodes
1. Site selection and land preparation: For the seedling field of northern Atractylodes, choose gently sloping, well-drained and irrigated, loose and fertile sandy loam; for the transplant field, choose a sunny barren hillside, with deep soil, loose and fertile soil, and well-drained humus soil or sandy loam; low-lying, easily waterlogged land should not be used.
2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer: after selecting the land for the northern Atractylodes seedling field, spread 3000 to 4000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure per mu, plow deeply 20 to 25 cm, harrow fine and level the soil. In arid areas make flat beds; in areas with more rainfall make raised beds. The bed width is generally 1.2 to 1.4 m, and the length depends on the terrain.
3. Propagation method: the sowing period for northern Atractylodes is from late March to early April, and the sowing method can be drilling or broadcasting
(1) Drilling: when drilling northern Atractylodes, open furrows horizontally on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 15 to 20 cm, with a furrow depth of 2 cm; sow the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with soil and press lightly, then water and cover the bed surface with grass to keep it moist.
(2) Broadcasting: when broadcasting northern Atractylodes, leave soil aside for covering when making the bed, then broadcast the seeds evenly over the bed surface, cover with 2 cm of soil. After sowing, cover the bed surface with rice straw to keep it moist. Usually about 3 to 4 kg of seed is used per mu.
Planting methods for northern Atractylodes
1. Thinning and final thinning: for direct-seeded northern Atractylodes, thin the seedlings when they are 5 to 6 cm tall; when the seedlings are 10 to 15 cm tall, set the plants at a plant spacing of 15 to 20 cm and a row spacing of 25 cm. For hole sowing, leave 2 to 3 strong seedlings per hole. For transplanted plants, the number of seedlings per mu is generally 12000 to 15000.
2. Cultivation and weeding: during the seedling stage of northern Atractylodes, weed frequently and loosen the soil shallowly as appropriate. After transplanting, cultivation and weeding should be carried out 3 to 4 times each year, usually loosening the soil once every two months; topdressing can be done together with earthing up.
3. Timely watering: before and after emergence, northern Atractylodes should be kept constantly moist to favor emergence and seedling growth. Water immediately to protect the seedlings after the soil thaws in early spring, and water promptly when drought dries the soil. Generally, watering stops once the plants have grown.
4. Reasonable topdressing: during the seedling stage of northern Atractylodes, apply 2000 kg of decomposed dilute human and livestock manure water per mu; in June to July, apply 2500 to 3000 kg of decomposed human manure and urine plus 15 kg of superphosphate; in October, open furrows between the rows and apply decomposed barnyard manure or compost, then water and cover with soil.
5. Bud removal and seed retention: in the commercial field of northern Atractylodes, remove the flower buds promptly at the bud stage so that nutrients are concentrated for the growth of the underground rhizome. For the seed field, choose loose and fertile land and healthy, disease-free planting stock, and carry out appropriate flower and bud thinning to cultivate fine seeds and seedlings.
6. Pest and disease control: northern Atractylodes is susceptible to aphid damage. Remove dead branches and fallen leaves promptly and bury them deeply or burn them. During the outbreak period, spray with 50% fenitrothion 1000 to 2000 times dilution or 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1500 to 2000 times dilution, once every 7 days, continuously until there is no pest damage.
7. Timely harvesting: northern Atractylodes can be harvested 3 to 4 years after sowing or 2 to 3 years after transplanting. In spring or autumn, from October to November, after the above-ground stems and leaves have withered, dig up the rhizomes on a sunny day, shake off the soil, remove the residual stems, dry in the sun or dry by heat, then knock off the fibrous roots.