Analysis of the Key Points of Standardized Paris polyphylla Planting Technology

I. Growth and Development Habits

Paris polyphylla prefers to grow at an altitude of about 500-3000 m, in humid climates with adequate rainfall, in shaded places under forest canopy. Generally, the suitable temperature for seed germination, root growth and development, and terminal bud germination is 18°C-20°C; for seedling emergence it is 20°C; for aboveground plant growth it is 16°C-20°C; and for underground rhizome growth it is 14°C-18°C. Paris polyphylla growth requires a shaded environment; strong light will cause the leaves to wither. Generally, the seed germination and seedling stages require relatively good shading, while in the two years before maturity, shading should be appropriately reduced and light increased, which is beneficial for the accumulation of secondary metabolites and dry matter. If soil moisture content is too low, it easily causes water loss in stems and leaves and death of the root system from drying out; if too high, it easily leads to pests and diseases and rhizome rot. Paris polyphylla is suitable for growing in well-drained, slightly acidic humus soil or red loam soil; clayey, water-accumulating, and compacted soil is not suitable for planting.

II. Planting Methods

Site selection and land preparation: Choose a forest clearing or slope land, or dry land, with relatively high terrain and good drainage, with soil that is humus soil rich in humus or acidic red loam soil, as the Paris polyphylla planting base. Paris polyphylla is a perennial shallow-rooted crop with slow growth and few but relatively long roots. Generally, in the first year of transplanting, the land should be deep-plowed, which is beneficial for root growth. In winter, choose a sunny day when the field is relatively dry for plowing, plow about 25 cm deep, break up the soil clods during plowing, and remove stones and weeds. After sun-drying for one to two days, apply 30-35 tons per hectare of decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer, then level and make beds. The bed surface width is 120 cm, the ditch width is 30 cm, and the ditch depth is 25 cm. After sowing, break up the ditch mud and spread it on the bed surface. The ditches must be unobstructed to facilitate drainage.

Seedling raising

Seed propagation: ① Seedbed: The seedbed should be selected in a forest clearing or slope land with relatively high terrain, good drainage, soil rich in organic matter, and relatively good shade (20% light transmittance); for dry land, 3-4 layers of shade netting must be set up. Choose a sunny day when the field is relatively dry for plowing, plow about 15 cm deep, crush the soil clods during plowing, and remove stones and weeds, then level and make beds. The bed surface width is 120 cm, the ditch width is 30 cm, and the ditch depth is 25 cm. The ditches must be unobstructed to facilitate drainage.

② Seed selection and seed treatment: Select plump, mature Paris polyphylla seeds free of disease, mildew, and damage, with a 1000-grain weight of 40-70 g. Mix them with clean fine sand at 2:1, rub to remove the outer seed coat, wash clean, soak in 500-fold carbendazim for 1 hour, bury in wet sand, and treat at 20°C for 4 months. After the Paris polyphylla seeds have rooted, sow them. During this period, pay attention to maintaining moisture.

③ Sowing and seedling raising: The treated seeds can be sown in holes, in drills, or broadcast. Sow into humus soil and fine sand (2:1). Cover the seeds with a thin soil layer of 1.5-2 cm, then cover with a layer of finely crushed grass to retain moisture. This is beneficial both for seedling emergence and for cotyledon shell shedding to ensure the emergence rate. During this period, keep the seedbed moist and in a shaded environment; avoid soil compaction, drying, and excessive sunlight. Generally, seedlings emerge in 3-4 months.

Cutting propagation: In winter, cut disease-free, morphologically normal Paris polyphylla underground stems into sections with two nodes (about 2 cm). They must not be too short, otherwise the seedlings will be too thin or will not emerge. Treat the wounds with plant ash. Cut pieces with terminal buds can be directly planted in the field. Cut pieces without terminal buds are planted at a spacing of 7×7 cm. After planting, cover with crushed grass or humus soil to retain moisture (soil moisture of 65%) and maintain a shaded environment.

Transplanting: Seedlings are transplanted 3 years after emergence, at a spacing of 15×20 cm. Cut pieces with terminal buds are planted at a spacing of 15×20 cm. For cut pieces without terminal buds, dig them out in the second winter when adventitious buds have already formed and plant them at a spacing of 20×30 cm. After transplanting, cover with crushed grass or humus soil to retain moisture and maintain a shaded environment. Transplanting time should preferably be in winter, after the aboveground stems have wilted and while the rhizomes are dormant. During transplanting, take care to protect the terminal buds and fibrous roots from damage.

III. Field Management

Intertillage and weeding: Because the Paris polyphylla root system is relatively shallow and new roots sprout in autumn and winter, attention must be paid during intertillage. Around September-October, at the early stage of underground stem growth, use a small hoe to intertill gently and not too deeply, so as not to damage the underground stems. During intertillage and weeding, combine with earthing up and apply winter fertilizer. Around the beginning of spring, seedlings gradually emerge; if weeds are found, manually pull them out promptly. When weeding, be careful not to injure the seedlings and underground rhizomes, so as not to affect the growth of Paris polyphylla.

Drainage and irrigation: Drainage ditches should be opened around the field to facilitate drainage. The depth of the drainage ditches should be above 35 cm, basically achieving that water dries up after rain stops. Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis growth avoids water accumulation, and soil moisture content should not be too high. Before the aboveground stems emerge, it should not be watered, otherwise root rot easily occurs. After emergence, however, it must not lack water; therefore, before the rainy season arrives, water promptly. When the rainy season arrives, pay attention to drainage.

IV. Fertilization

Base fertilizer: Apply 30-35 tons per hectare of decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer.

Winter fertilizer: Generally carried out from late November to early December. First, gently intertill the surface soil once, then choose a sunny day and apply 150-250 kg per hectare of compound fertilizer. Then cover with 30 tons of barnyard manure, and then cover with some fine soil on top.

Spring fertilizer: After the seedlings have all emerged, apply decomposed farmyard manure 1-2 times, 15-20 tons each time, then spray foliar fertilizer 2 times. Around the beginning of spring, when the seedlings emerge through the surface soil and the seedlings are about 3 cm tall, topdress promptly.

Top removal: At the end of vegetative growth, for plants not retained for seed, remove the ovary but retain the sepals (which can carry out photosynthesis).