Latest Prices of Isatis Root Seeds and a Detailed Guide to Planting Methods

Isatis root is a common Chinese medicinal herb, also known as woad, mountain indigo, large indigo root, etc. It is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Isatis in the Brassicaceae family, divided into North Isatis root and South Isatis root. North Isatis root comes from the root of the Brassicaceae plant woad (Isatis indigotica), while South Isatis root is the rhizome of the Acanthaceae plant Baphicacanthus cusia. Let's take a look together at the prices of Isatis root seeds and the planting methods!

How much does a jin of Isatis root seeds cost?

The price of Isatis root seeds is about 20-30 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on the seed variety, quality, place of origin and purchase quantity. The seeding rate for Isatis root is 4-5 jin per mu. Planting is generally divided into spring sowing and summer sowing. Spring sowing can yield two harvests of Daqingye (woad leaves). In the south, that is, the area south of the Huai River, the yield per mu is 250 kg and 300 kg of Daqingye; in the area north of the Yellow River, the yield per mu is 280 kg and 220 kg of Daqingye; in the Northeast and Northwest regions, the yield per mu is 350 kg and 200 kg of Daqingye.

What varieties of Isatis root are there?

1. Isatis root: It is the dried root of the plant woad (Isatis indigotica), slender and cylindrical, with a light grayish-yellow surface, rough, with longitudinal wrinkles and transverse scars, as well as branch root scars. The root head is slightly swollen, with a depression at the top, surrounded by dark green leaf stalk residues. Thicker roots also show dense verrucose protrusions and grayish-brown leaf stalk scars arranged in a ring. The texture is solid and brittle; the cross-section shows a yellow-white to light brown bark and a yellow xylem. Roots that are straight, thick, solid and highly powdery are considered the best.

2. Baphicacanthus root: It is the dried rhizome and root of the plant Baphicacanthus cusia, grayish-brown. The rhizome is cylindrical, with a short aerial stem at the upper part. The aerial stem has opposite branches. The rhizome has swollen nodes, from which slightly thicker rhizomes and slender fibrous roots grow. The roots are slender and slightly curved, with fine wrinkles on the surface. The rhizome and aerial stem are brittle and easily broken, with an uneven cross-section that appears slightly fibrous, with a large pith in the center; the root is relatively pliable. Those with long strips and uniform thickness are considered the best.

Sowing methods for Isatis root

1. Soil selection: Isatis root is a deep-rooted plant, suitable for a warm and humid climate, drought-resistant and cold-resistant, but afraid of waterlogging; after water immersion, the roots easily rot. It can be planted in general soil, but it is best to choose loose soil with good drainage.

2. Land preparation and fertilization: For the Isatis root planting site, combine deep plowing and land preparation with reasonable fertilization. Apply 3000-4000 kg of farmyard manure, 15 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 4 kg of biological potassium fertilizer per mu, spread evenly into the soil and deep plow more than 30 cm, then make flat beds 1 m wide.

3. Sowing time: In the north, Isatis root is suitable for spring sowing and should be sown late at the appropriate time. If sowing is too early, bolting and flowering occur early, which not only causes reduced yield but also lowers the quality of Isatis root. The most suitable time is from April 20 to 30.

4. Sowing method: Before sowing Isatis root, soak the seeds in warm water at 40-50°C for 4 hours, then remove them and mix evenly with plant ash. Open furrows on the bed surface, spread the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with soil, press down slightly, and water appropriately to keep moisture. With suitable temperature, seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.

Planting methods for Isatis root

1. Thinning and final thinning: After Isatis root seedlings emerge, when the seedlings are 7-8 cm tall, thin them to a plant spacing of 6-10 cm, remove the weak and keep the strong, and fill in gaps where seedlings are missing. When the seedlings are 10-12 cm tall, combine cultivation and weeding, and thin to a plant spacing of 6-9 cm and row spacing of 10-15 cm.

2. Cultivation and weeding: After the Isatis root seedlings emerge, cultivate shallowly; after final thinning, cultivate. When weeds have 3-5 leaves, a quizalofop-p-ethyl type chemical herbicide can be selected and sprayed to control grass weeds, using 40 ml per mu, diluted with 50 kg of water for spraying.

3. Topdressing and watering: For Isatis root mainly harvested for Daqingye, topdress 3 times per year. The first time is after planting, applying 10-15 kg of urea per mu; the 2nd and 3rd times are after harvesting Daqingye. For Isatis root mainly harvested for roots, apply less nitrogen fertilizer and appropriately combine phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and plant ash.

4. Pest and disease control

① Downy mildew: In the early stage of downy mildew, spray 70% mancozeb 500x solution for control, or spray 800x solution of Sandofan for control, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays.

② Leaf blight: In the early stage of leaf blight, spray 50% carbendazim 1000x solution for control, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays, and at the same time apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

③ Root rot: In the early stage of root rot, drench the holes with 50% carbendazim 1000x solution or thiophanate-methyl 1000x solution, and remove the diseased plants.

④ Cabbage white butterfly: The cabbage white butterfly mainly damages leaves. It begins to occur in May, and the damage is especially severe in June. Pyrethroid pesticides can be sprayed for control.