How promising is Pinellia ternata cultivation? The latest analysis is here

Pinellia ternata is a herb of the Araceae family; its underground corms are used medicinally and have the functions of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, and relieving distension and dissipating nodules. It has very good effects on treating damp phlegm and cold fluids, vomiting, nausea, cough, excessive phlegm, headache and insomnia, and is used in large quantities. It is also a major export variety all year round and has very high cultivation prospects!

Cultivation prospects of Pinellia ternata

According to statistical analysis of market surveys in major medicinal material markets and production areas nationwide over the past ten years, the supply-demand gap for dried Pinellia ternata is relatively large, and its trend is strong. It has risen year by year from the original 40 yuan/kg, rising steadily to 80-90 yuan/kg in 2009. After the autumn harvest in 2010, the price reached 150-160 yuan/kg, with selected products at 160-200 yuan, and demand exceeded supply; over several years the price has already doubled. In September 2011, the price was 85-110 yuan. In November 2013, the price was 95-120 yuan. The long-term price trend remains high, and sustainable cultivation will continue from 2015 onward.

Current market situation of Pinellia ternata

1. Reduced output of wild Pinellia ternata: the Pinellia ternata products on the market have always mainly relied on wild supplies. As rural barren hills and wastelands have continued to be reclaimed and used, its wild environment has been damaged, and combined with uncontrolled digging by medicinal herb growers year after year, its wild resources have nearly been exhausted in recent years. It is understood that in recent years the amount dug from new growth in main production areas has been less than two-thirds of previous years.

2. Increased domestic demand for Pinellia ternata: Pinellia ternata has the effects of relieving cough and resolving phlegm, lowering rebellious qi and stopping vomiting, and reducing carbuncles and swelling, and is a commonly used medicinal material. In the past two years, as related domestic pharmaceutical companies have developed and utilized new drugs and special drugs using it as a raw material, market demand for its products has increased day by day. In 2008, the transaction volume of Pinellia ternata products on the market already exceeded 7,000 tons, an increase of more than 45% in sales compared with 2007.

3. Increased export volume of Pinellia ternata in foreign trade: Pinellia ternata is one of China's main export varieties of medicinal materials. As the international community recognizes the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, orders for Pinellia ternata from Southeast Asian countries and other countries are increasing day by day, and the export quantity of its products is constantly increasing. According to statistics from foreign trade departments, in the past two years the export volume of this product has increased at a rate of 20%, and in 2008 the export volume was more than 3,000 tons.

Cultivation conditions for Pinellia ternata

Judging from the current production and sales situation of Pinellia ternata, the contradiction between supply and demand of Pinellia ternata products will become increasingly prominent, and it will be difficult to ease within three to five years. Therefore, it is currently suitable to develop Pinellia ternata production. Farmers with the conditions can grow Pinellia ternata according to local conditions to increase income. Now let us take a look at the cultivation conditions for Pinellia ternata!

1. The soil is loam, and it cannot be too acidic or too alkaline. The pH should be between 6.5-7.0, and the soil should contain no or very few root-borne weeds and stones.

2. The soil is fertile, with organic matter content exceeding 1.2%.

3. There is sufficient water source, watering is convenient, and waterlogging can be completely drained.

4. The terrain has a certain slope, preferably a slope of 5-10 degrees. If there is no slope, multiple ditches should be made.