How to Grow Aconite for High Yields? Latest Cultivation Technique Guide

Aconite, also known as Wutou, Caowu, Tiehua, etc., is a plant of the genus Aconitum in the Ranunculaceae family, mainly produced in Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan and other places, with extremely high cultivation value. It prefers warm, humid and sunny environments, is cold-tolerant, and avoids continuous cropping. It is best cultivated in soil with deep and fertile layers, loose texture, good drainage and rich in humus. Now let us take a look at the high-yield cultivation techniques for aconite!

Site Selection and Land Preparation for Aconite

The aconite planting site should be selected as mountainous land with deep, loose and fertile soil layers. Starting from Major Snow, in late October, apply 4000-5000 kg of barnyard manure or compost per mu as base fertilizer, and make beds 1.2 m wide with a bed surface 1 m wide. Mix 50 kg of superphosphate and 50 kg of rapeseed cake, crush finely and spread evenly on the bed surface, stir well, and prepare for planting.

Propagation Techniques for Aconite

1. Aconite is propagated by tuberous roots. First select seed roots. Tuberous roots can be divided into three grades by size: grade one weighs 2 kg per 100 tuberous roots, grade two weighs 0.75-1.75 kg, and grade three weighs 0.25-0.5 kg. Grade one and grade three are mostly used as Wutou seed roots, while grade two tuberous roots are used as aconite seed roots. Use 11000-12000 tuberous roots per mu, which is 130-150 kg. Any tuberous roots with black scars on the skin, water rot disease, wounds, or pests and diseases must not be used as seed.

2. After the aconite seed roots are dug out, spread them in a sheltered and shady place (about 6 cm thick) and air-dry for 7-15 days, so that the moisture in the cortex is slightly reduced before planting. In early to mid-November, plant in the beds in order at a plant-row spacing of 15x18 cm and a hole depth of 12 cm, stabilizing the seedlings into the holes and planting 3 rows, then cover with 9 cm of soil, forming a fish-back shape to facilitate drainage. When planting, an extra tuberous root may be planted every 10 plants to facilitate replanting and ensure a high yield.

Field Management of Aconite

1. Cultivation and replanting: During aconite cultivation, shallow hoeing and weeding should be done once around mid-November to keep the field free of weeds. In early spring of the second year, after the seedlings have emerged completely, replant in time, taking healthy seedlings with soil to replant, compact the soil, and water with clean water to help them survive.

2. Topdressing and earthing up: Aconite is generally topdressed 3 times. In early February when 5-6 leaves appear, use 3000-3500 kg of urine-based fertilizer per mu, dig small ditches between the rows and pour it along the ditches once. The second time is after root trimming in May, apply 3000-3500 kg of human feces and urine, or 250 kg of oil cake fertilizer, digging 1 hole every 3 plants, applying the fertilizer and covering with soil. The third time is in early August, using 1000 kg of human and livestock manure water per mu, 10 kg of urea, mixed with 1000 kg of water for pouring irrigation. While topdressing, earth up at the same time, 6-15 cm thick, forming a fish-back shape.

3. Tip removal and root trimming: This is done when aconite seedlings are 30-36 cm tall. The first time, remove the tall tips; after 7 days, remove the tips of second-grade seedlings; after another 7 days, remove the tips of third-grade seedlings. After tip removal, axillary buds grow quickly and should be removed in time. Before Grain Rain in early April and after Start of Summer, trim the roots once: gently break open the soil around the roots, evenly retain 2-3 robust new aconite tubers, and cut off and remove all the other small tubers, being careful not to damage the roots and stems.

4. Harvesting and processing: Aconite is generally harvested in late July. Use a two-tooth rake to dig out the whole plant, shake off the mud and sand, pick off the aconite tubers, remove the fibrous roots to make mud aconite, which must be processed immediately. At the same time, cut off the mother roots and dry them in the sun to make Wutou.

Pest and Disease Control for Aconite

1. Southern blight: It mostly occurs in summer during high-temperature and rainy seasons, harming the rhizome of aconite. Select disease-free Wutou as seed, practice crop rotation, and when trimming roots, mix 2 kg of quintozene powder per mu with 50 kg of dry fine soil, apply it around the rhizome and then cover with soil. In the early stage of the disease, deeply bury the diseased plants and diseased soil, and use 5% lime or a 1000-fold solution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder to irrigate healthy plants near the diseased plants.

2. Downy mildew: Downy mildew generally occurs from March to May and harms the leaves. Pull out diseased seedlings in time, and spray with a 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture or an 800-fold solution of 65% amobam wettable powder.

3. Root rot: Root rot generally occurs from April to July and harms the roots. Do not damage the rhizome when trimming roots, do not apply too much alkaline fertilizer, and irrigate with a 1000-fold solution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder.

4. Red aphids: Red aphids generally begin to appear in late March or early April, peak from May to June, and harm the tender stems at the top of the plant. Control method: spray and kill with an 800-1500-fold solution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate.