What are the methods for harvesting Atractylodes macrocephala seeds and raising seedlings?
Atractylodes macrocephala is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, with its rhizome used as medicine. It has effects such as strengthening the spleen and boosting qi, drying dampness and promoting diuresis, stopping sweating, and preventing miscarriage. In recent years, as living standards have improved, people have become increasingly concerned about health and wellness, so the market demand for Atractylodes macrocephala has also been constantly increasing, and more and more people are growing Atractylodes macrocephala. So how are Atractylodes macrocephala seeds harvested? What are the seedling-raising methods? Let's take a look together below.
1. How are Atractylodes macrocephala seeds harvested?
After the rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala have been harvested, the seeds can be collected, usually in mid-to-late November. The seeds should be harvested on sunny days. The harvesting process is as follows: dig up the plants reserved for seed production, and cut off the rhizomes; bundle the branches and leaves bearing seeds into bundles, and hang them in a cool place under the eaves for 20-30 d, until the seeds are truly mature, then dry them in the sun for one or two days, use appropriate machinery to thresh out the seeds, and store them for the next planting.
2. What are the seedling-raising methods for Atractylodes macrocephala?
1. Sowing and seedling raising
In Atractylodes macrocephala cultivation, sowing is the first step. Atractylodes macrocephala mainly relies on seed propagation. Generally, late March to early April is the best time for sowing Atractylodes macrocephala, and from winter to the following spring the seedlings in the seedbed are transplanted to the field. When sowing, growers should level the land and use a ridging machine for ridged cultivation, so as to ensure smooth drainage in the field and avoid water accumulation on rainy days, which would affect the growth of Atractylodes macrocephala. Then, after soaking the seeds in warm water at about 25 ℃ for 24 h, evenly sprinkle the seeds into the furrows, then cover with soil and water. In Atractylodes macrocephala cultivation, to ensure the yield and quality of Atractylodes macrocephala, sowing 5 kg of seeds per 667 m 2 of field is sufficient. After sowing Atractylodes macrocephala, a little wheat straw etc. should be spread over the seedbed to resist drought and preserve soil moisture, thereby increasing the seed germination rate. Usually when the temperature reaches 20 ℃, seedlings emerge in 7 d.
2. Transplanting
When transplanting seedlings, carry out hole planting or strip planting at a row spacing of 30-40 cm and a plant spacing of 10-12 cm, with a planting depth of about 6 cm. When planting the seedlings, the seedlings should be placed close to the edge, with the buds facing upward, covered with soil mixed with superphosphate or cake fertilizer, then cultivate the soil from the bottom of the furrow onto the bed surface, press lightly, and water thoroughly, which can effectively ensure the survival rate of the seedlings.
3. Seedling-stage management
Seedling management is an important step for strong seedlings. When the Atractylodes macrocephala seedlings are about 3 cm tall, growers can remove the wheat straw and thin the seedlings to provide growing space for the seedlings and strengthen them. When the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, weed, shallowly loosen the soil, and thin the seedlings again. It should be noted that thinning should be avoided after rain or when the dew has not dried, so as not to break the seedlings. In addition, this stage is the growth period of the seedlings, and the demand for water is high, so they should be watered frequently and fertilized to increase the nutrient content of the soil, applying urea at 15 kg/667 m 2 and compound fertilizer at 30 kg/667 m 2. After fertilizing, water immediately so that the soil fully absorbs the fertilizer. During the Frost's Descent period, they can be harvested. When digging out the rhizomes, avoid damaging their roots; dry the rhizomes in the sun for one or two days, then store the rhizomes in moist fine sand.
The above is an introduction to Atractylodes macrocephala. After harvesting Atractylodes macrocephala, it should be promptly transported back for drying in the sun or drying by heat, avoiding piling up, which would cause Atractylodes macrocephala to heat up and rot. During sun-drying, when Atractylodes macrocephala is about 80% dry, remove the fibrous roots, coarse skin and mud and sand, and dry it in the sun again.
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